Patsy Ella Bowen Bennett, a longtime resident of Tupelo, passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the age of 85. She was born on June 5, 1940, in Fulton to George Gorden Bowen and Ruby Wright Bowen. She graduated from Itawamba Agricultural High School in 1958 and was a member of the award- winning Indianettes. She was also an alumna of Itawamba Junior College. Patsy was the proud mother of three children: Desha Bennett Cruse, Dr. Bob Bennett Jr., and Jody Bennett. She proudly worked with Renasant Bank, formerly
known as The People’s Bank, for more than 35 years. Patsy was well known to many as the Supervising Teller at the Downtown Tupelo branch. She loved her bank family and all of her customers. Additionally, she was a member of the West Main Church of Christ in Tupelo for
several decades. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Colonial Dames. She read historical fiction avidly and volunteered in her later years at the Lee County Library’s Bookstore. Patsy traveled to more than 20 countries through trips with Renasant Bank and was her family’s genealogist. In fact, she traced the lineage of both of her
parents as far back as the 8 th Century A.D.
Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers – Gordon Dale Bowen and Major Bowen, one sister – Janice Bowen, former husband – Bob Bennett, Sr., and son-in-law – Neil Cruse.
She is survived by her children – Desha, Bob Jr., and Jody (Cari), her grandchildren – Blake Bennett and Brett Bennett, two sisters – Georgia Bowen Owen and Nina Bowen Cantrell (Larry), and many nieces and nephews.
Burial took place earlier this week in a private family ceremony. A graveside memorial service will be held at Itawamba Memorial Gardens in Fulton on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 2:00 PM.
