Donald M. Bennett

1937 - 2025

Donald M. Bennett passed away peacefully at his home in Memphis, TN on July 28, 2025, after a brief illness. He spent the last week of his life surrounded by family and friends who loved him. His family is incredibly grateful for the care provided him by his team of doctors over the years as well as the staff at Baptist East in Memphis in the last few weeks of his life.

Don was born in Atlanta, GA., July 8, 1937, to Harvey Lee Bennett and Eleanor Llewellyn Jeffries Bennett. He was preceded in death by his brother, Edward Lee Bennett of Sharpsburg, GA, his sister, Dianne Llewellyn (Bennett) Hopkins, of Sharpsburg, GA. and his wife of 47 years Louise Ann (Smith) Bennett of Memphis, TN.

He is survived by two daughters, Elisa Ann Bennett of Memphis, TN and Jennifer Louise Bennett of Nashville, TN and his granddaughter, Nataly Tate Bennett of Alcoa, TN.

After graduating from Murphy High School in Atlanta, Don attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he received a BMusEd degree in 1963 and then attended graduate school there.
While at Baylor, Don was tenor soloist for five choral groups and had the tenor leads in six full opera productions. He performed one professional opera with the Ft. Worth Opera Company, La Traviata, starring Metropolitan Opera stars Beverly Sills and tenor Brian Sullivan. Years later, in Decatur, GA., Don was tenor soloist with the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Chamber Chorus under the direction of Robert Shaw.

After teaching for four years in TX and GA, Don began serving as a Minister of Music. Don was a Minister of Music in three churches during his 50+ years of ministry. His last church was Union Avenue Baptist in Memphis, TN, where he served for 16 years. He officially retired from Union Avenue in 2002. He remained at the church as Paster of Senior Adults part time and served as interim Minister of Music several times.

Don was a member of the CenturyMen choral group, an auditioned chorus of 100 Baptist Church Musicians. He joined the group in October, 1971 and remained a member until the group ended in 2021. Don went on several international tours with the CenturyMen including to Brazil, Russia, Poland, and China.

Don enjoyed watching and playing sports. He played on a twice state championship softball team in Killeen, TX. He also enjoyed golf and scored a hole-in-one when he was 75 years old. In his younger years he won several golf and tennis trophies in various tournaments. Later in life, he discovered and enjoyed racquetball. He was also an ace Putt-Putt player who played with his family on beach vacations.

Don had a love for travel and organized many group trips in the United States and abroad. He traveled to 42 states and 25 foreign countries. He enjoyed experiencing other cultures, especially their cuisine.

Don loved to make people laugh. He was great at telling jokes and collected jokes from books and online that he compiled monthly to share with church members and friends. Don was a prolific sender of cards for birthdays, holidays, and in sympathy. He loved to celebrate others and make them feel special.

A memorial service will be held at Union Avenue Baptist Church in Memphis on August 9, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM followed by the service at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Union Avenue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN or the cancer charity of your choice.