Bennie Garnett

Bennie Garnett, 88 of Utica, New York passed away peacefully on Saturday morning (December 5, 2020) at Abraham Hospice House in Rome, New York.  Bennie was born on May 17, 1932 in Statesboro, Georgia and was the son of Louis and Agnes (Thompson) Garnett.  He was the youngest of 10 children of Agnes Golden-Garnett.  He moved to Utica and lived with an older brother Tha Garnett in the early 1950’s.   He worked for several companies until he became an employee and retired from the Utica City School District in the late 90’s.   He enjoyed going to Vernon Downs Casino and socializing with his friends at breakfast at the Johanne’s Coffee Shop on South Street in Utica.

Bennie is survived by two children; Bryan Kip (Martha) Garnett of Portsmouth, Virginia; Alicia Garnett of Mississippi; grandchildren Latoya Garnett and Brandell Watkins; and 14 great grandchildren;  special 1st cousins, Rudolph (Beulah) Thompson; of Utica,; Marvin Thompson of Sanford, Florida;  niece Virginia (Peewee) Huff of Stateboro, Georgia and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.   Bennie will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is predeceased by his parents, Louis and Agnes Garnett, daughter Twinia Watkins; sisters Leatha Lemon, Evelyn Dixon, Lilla Reid; and brothers Fred Golden, William Golden, Tha Garnett, G.W Garnett, N.B. Garnett, and Arie Granett.  Grandsons Bryan M. Garnett and Shawn Dawkins. and best friend Bob Harvey.

A memorial and burial will be announced at a later date by the family.