Jane Fatherree Bennett

Jane Fatherree Bennett, 79, died peacefully in her home on April 14, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Jane was born on August 25, 1943, in New Orleans, to Dr. and Mrs. J. P. Fatherree. Shortly thereafter, her family relocated to Laurel, Mississippi, where her father practiced medicine as an O.B.G.Y.N., and where he served as Chief of Staff of Charity Hospital and Dean of the Charity Hospital School of Nursing. Jane spent her early years in Laurel, until her graduation from George S. Gardiner High School in 1960. Thereafter, she pursued her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she completed her Masters in Social Work.

In 1987, after completing a course of continuing education, training, and licensure, Jane received her certification as a Licensed Certified Social Worker. She then completed her credentials with the National Association of Social Work and the Academy of Certified Social Workers, which remains the most widely recognized and respected social work credential. For forty-two years, Jane tirelessly and selflessly served her community as the consummate social worker. She quickly earned the trust, confidence, and respect of all her peers and colleagues, and she dedicated her career to helping her fellows in the community. Jane spent twenty-five years of her career at Memorial Hospital Gulfport, where she served as the Director of Social Services for nearly two decades. Upon retiring from Memorial Hospital, Jane continued her career in Social Work at Hancock Medical Center, now Ochsner Hancock, where she spent seventeen wonderful years. Jane never met a stranger, and she had countless colleagues and co-workers at both Memorial and Hancock who she not only called dear friends, but proudly called her little family. Throughout her career, Jane held myriad positions and posts on numerous oversight boards, regulatory committees, etc. She received just as many accolades and awards throughout her storied career.

Jane’s commitment to her friends, colleagues, and fellows in the community was second only to her undying love and dedication to her family, and most of all to her husband of forty-three years, Jeff Bennett, and to her adoring sons Boyd West and Reed Bennett, who were her greatest sources of pride and joy. Jane was born to be a caretaker, and was always available to offer her boundless wisdom, guidance, encouragement, and support. Jane was ever the optimist, and her positive outlook was felt and shared by all who knew her. She was well known for her razor-sharp wit, and her undeniably contagious laughter and joy. Jane lived her life with inimitable spirit and zeal, and she was an absolute force of nature. She will forever be dearly missed by all who knew her, as to know her was to love her.

Jane was preceded in death by her mother and father, Dr. and Mrs. J. P. Fatherree; and by her sisters, Mary Reed Fatherree and Julie Fatherree Norris. She is survived by her husband Jeff Bennett; her sons, Boyd West (Carrie), and Reed Bennett; her sisters, Courtenay Fatherree Davis (Charles), and Adrian Fatherree Rayner; her brother, John P. Fatherree; her brother-in-law, Don Norris; and her grandchildren, Caleb West, Canaan West, Caden West, and Kieleigh West.

Visitiation will be at Riemann Family Funeral Home, on Three Rivers Road, in Gulfport, Mississippi, on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, from 12:30 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. The memorial service will be held at Riemann Family Funeral Home at 2:00 P.M. Interment will be held in Floral Hills Cemetery.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.