Well Done My Good and Faithful Servants”
Veteran’s Day Nov. 11, 1923, was a very special day for the Bennett family. On that day in Gough, Burke County, Georgia The late Bessie Lou Bennett, a school teacher, and the late Charlie Bennett, Sr., an Overseer, farmer, became the proud parents of their second of eight children, Willie Mae Bennett. Willie Mae, “Bill” as she was affectionately called at a young age followed in the family tradition of farming in rural Burke County in central Georgia after the early passing of her parents. When she was 12 years old her mother passed followed by her father when she was in her early 20’s.
After the death of both parents her options were very limited but very clear to her. In order to care and provide for her siblings, farming provided the opportunities that at that time allowed her and five young siblings to earn a living. Fortunately, instead of the historical common practice of shared cropping for many African American farmers during that era, she was able to rent her land. So at an early age she honed tremendous business skills in the agribusiness that would remain with her and her family for her entire life and generations to come. She was able to pass on these skills and business philosophy to many of her children and now grandchildren despite limited formal educational opportunities during that time for Blacks in rural Georgia.
In addition to farming, Ms. Anderson worked as dietitian specialist at the Burke County Hospital, later she was a seamstress for Sampson Manufacturing Company where she helped organize workers and fought for workers rights and fair compensation. In the 1970’s most of her children had finished/or were attending college. She left Waynesboro, Georgia, her home, church, friends, families and extended families to join her children in Seattle, Washington.
In Seattle she joined her firstborn son Christopher H. Bennett’s Newspaper business as a Manager of The Tacoma True Citizen newspaper office, which she did for many years. At the latter part of her newspaper career, she worked as the community friendly, courteous voice receptionist/front office manager of The Seattle Medium and Kris Bennett Broadcasting, Inc. where she was affectionately known as “Ms. Willie Mae”. Ms. Anderson retired in 2003 after the death of her daughter, the nationally acclaimed editor/publisher and author Connie Bennett- Cameron.
With Ms. Anderson it was always family first. She embraced the philosophy of that the “key to success in life was a good quality education”. Although her formal education was limited to only finishing the eighth grade, thanks to the tutorage of an educator, her mother, her academic inclination, wit and insight was far superior to many college graduates and professionals.
She was an excellent tutor far beyond her formal education. Most of her children, grand children, nieces, nephews and others with no biological relationship often referred to her as “MOM or Auntie.” She encouraged and helped all, and they were many. Some of her most memorable moments were: to witness her son (Chris H.) being elected President of the Black Press of America, campaigning in rural Georgia to elect her daughter (Alberta) State Representative of Georgia, a state that the US Supreme Court had to seat both elected State Reps, Julian Bond, and Burke County Commissioner Herman Lodge (Lodge vs. Burke County); her daughter Connie was one of four Black High School students to integrate Burke County Public Schools amidst heightened racial unrest; a granddaughter passing the bar in California and District of
Columbia; and in the past years witnessede her granddaughter pass the National Medical Exam. Perhaps the biggest and proudest moment of her life was when she stated that she has seen it all as she witnessed Sen. Barrack Obama be elected and sworn in as president of the United States of America.
In addition to her parents, Ms. Anderson was preceded in death by her husband, (Deacon) Albert Anderson, Sr.; two sisters; Charlie Mae Stephens, and Bessie L. Williams; her four brothers; Thomas Bennett, Wardell Bennett, Charlie Bennett, Jr. and Roosevelt Bennett; three children, Connie Bennett-Cameron, (Sam), Waymon (Tony) Anderson and (Infant)Valencia Anderson. She leaves to mourn her crossing over children in Seattle and vicinities -- Juanita Smallwood (Lawrence), Christopher H. Bennett (Gloria), Rev. Ruth Saunders (John), Joan Owens (Roger), Albert Anderson, Jr., Bettye L. Lowe and Alberta J. Anderson (Retried Ga. State Reprehensive), Waynesboro, GA, a sister, Dorothy Anderson, Miami, FL and her closet friend and sister – in – law, Annie Jordan, of Seattle; Twenty one grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, and five great, great grand children; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and extended family throughout Washington, Ore, Michigan, Georgia, South Carolina, Tenn., Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.
