Janique "Janie" Bennett

....and her children rise up and call her blessed... Janique (Janie) Mills Hamm Bennett, 87, Point Pleasant, WV, passed away Saturday, June 10, 2017, at Pleasant Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. As her family gathered to say goodbye, all marveled at this remarkable gentle lady - a wellspring of kindness and love, a powerful Christian witness, all mixed with a sense of fun and love of laughter - and all agreed that her life graced, and blessed, so many. She gave love, and in return, had the unwavering love and devotion of not only her family, but all those who knew her. She was born on January 10, 1930, in Herndon, WV, the daughter of the late Jessie and Sarah Green Mills. She was a graduate of Herndon High School and Bluefield Business College. She married Army SSG William W. Hamm in 1949, and moved to Point Pleasant in 1954. They raised three children, Barry (Catherine) Hamm, Jessie (Mary) Hamm and Linda (Boyd) Hodge, all of Point Pleasant, before his death in 1971. She married Paul Bennett, also of Point Pleasant, in 1978, and gained three more children, Roger (Steve Bailey) Bennett, Elizabeth, WV; Howard (Chris) Bennett, Charlotte NC; and Pauletta Goodwin, Nashville, TN. Together they oversaw an ever-growing family of grandchildren and great grandchildren until his death in 2008. Throughout the coming decades, Janie was involved in many church related, and civic organizations. An active member of Heights United Methodist Church for 65 years, founding member of the Jolly Dozen Club, and the Homemakers Club, she held numerous offices and extended her gracious hospitality to many throughout the years. Family and friends were captivated by her warmth and industrious nature. Few things brought her as much joy as hosting her family and friends at holidays, the annual Mills Brother Sister Reunion, or her numerous club meetings. Good food, warm fellowship, and festive décor would always be in abundance. Janie worked at various jobs throughout the 1950s and 1960s; a cook at Ordnance Elementary, Red Cross office director and office manager for Dr. Aaron Boonsue. With each she engaged people with her friendly manner and capability. For many years she babysat several grandchildren, as well as other children, whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by a brother, Russell Mills; a sister, Trula Barton; a sister Margie Ford; a granddaughter, Lacy Hamm; and a son-in-law, James Goodwin. In addition to her children she is survived by sisters, Betty England, Mullins, WV; Peggy Mills, Fairlea, WV; Vona Winston, Fairlea, WV; Willis (Bo) Dangerfield, Charles Town, WV; and a brother, Jay Mills, Columbus, OH. Surviving grandchildren include Jessica (Michael) Hitt, Mikki (Jamie) Halfhill, Brian Hamm, all of Point Pleasant; Heather (Jason) Leach, Cheshire, OH; Beth (Paul) Cochran, Bidwell, OH; Marci (Chad) Casto, Huntington, WV; Matthew (Maria) Hamm, Lexington, NC; Brittany (Luca) Renzi, Vermillion, SD; Stephen Hamm, Denver, CO; Nicholas Braley, Greensboro, NC; Colin Braley, Morgantown, WV; Kristin Bennett, Madison, WV; Kathy Goodwin, Gallatin, TN; Laci Leal, Rock Hill, SC; James Goodwin, Old Hickory, TN; Cassi Spigle, Auburn VA; Juli Benjamin, Monroe, WA; numerous great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services and visitation will be Monday, June 12, 1 p.m. at Wilcoxen Funeral Home, Point Pleasant. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Services will be conducted by Rev. Charles Marker. Burial will follow at Suncrest Cemetery, Point Pleasant. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of Point Pleasant Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the excellent care they provided to Janie. Condolences may be expressed to the family and memories be shared by visiting www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com