John Wesley Bennett

John Wesley Bennett transitioned to a new life on October 5, 2022. He was born on February 16, 1930 to Mabel Bullock Bennett and Leonard Bennett, Sr. in Gulfport, MS. He accepted Christ at an early age and spent his youth actively developing his religious foundation at the Mount Bethel Baptist Church in Gulfport, MS. During his college years, he became affiliated with the Methodist Student Fellowship and joined the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) and spent the remaining years of his life as a devout AMEC convert. John Wesley was a longtime member of the Saint James AME Church in Saint Paul, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. James AME Scholarship Fund, 624 Central Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104. John Wesley began his education at the Thirty Third Avenue Elementary School then attended the Thirty Third Avenue Secondary School. He went on to graduate from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA, majoring in Recreation and Group Work. He did additional study at Jackson State University, where he received his teaching certification. He later matriculated at the University of Minnesota (U of M) and received his Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. He earned an Educational Specialist degree in Elementary Administration from the University of St. Thomas. John Wesley earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Education Administration from the U of M. John Wesley commenced his professional career as the Director of Recreation at the Westside Community in Pompano Beach, FL. He started his teaching career in his hometown of Gulfport, MS. There he taught 6th grade at the Soria City Elementary School. He made a quantum leap from MS to Newtown, ND to teach 6th grade on the Indian reservation in Mandaree, ND. In 1969, John Wesley began teaching reading at Central High School in St. Paul, MN where he developed "The Children's Literature" program. In the program, high school students read and listened to elementary students read and respond to the stories. This learning activity became the focus of his Master's dissertation. At Central High, he collaborated with Steve Watson and Bob Speed to develop "The School Within a School Program". John Wesley's service in the Saint Paul Public Schools also included serving as the Principal of the following schools: Galtier Elementary, Benjamin E. Mays Elementary, Sheridan Elementary, and Highland Park Elementary. Throughout his career, John Wesley encouraged, inspired, and empowered students to strive for personal growth and development. As a lifelong educator, John Wesley continues to educate others by donating his body to science through the U of M Medical School's Anatomy Bequest Program. The program supports high quality education for future health professionals and continued advancements in medical care through research. John Wesley has eighteen nieces and nephews, of which three nephews and one niece are now deceased. John Wesley doted on all his nieces and nephews who referred to him as Unc, Uncle John, Uncle John Wesley and Uncle Wesley -- all salutations he loved! Preceding John Wesley in death were his beloved wife of 52 years Hazel Louvenia Murray Bennett, his parents Mabel and Leonard Bennett, Sr., his brother Leonard Bennett Jr. and sister CharlesEthel Johnson. Left to mourn him are his sisters, Peggy Ann Croutch and Shirley Joyce Barnett (William). Also left to mourn him are a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and Aaron and Althea Rupert.

Tributes

John Wesley Bennett

February 16, 1930 - October 5, 2022

Tributes

John Wesley Bennett

February 16, 1930 - October 5, 2022

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