TJ Bennett

BAXTER CHAPEL-Reverend TJ Bennett, age 92, of Silver Point, TN, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.

TJ was a sharecropper's son. He was born July 4, 1933 in Putnam County, TN to the late Toy H. Bennett and Odell Herron Bennett.

He was a country boy preacher who first starting preaching when he was about 7 years old. He attended the Ozion Free Will Baptist Church in Baxter, TN with his brother Harley and they listened to the preaching there. The brothers then went home and built a little brush arbor where TJ preached and Harley listened. He was privileged to baptize Harley many years later with family members as witnesses.

TJ served 2 years in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and went back to school on the GI bill when he returned home.

He answered the call to preach while attending the United Methodist Church in Baxter, TN. He graduated from Emory University Pastors School in Atlanta, GA and was a member of the Tennessee Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. TJ pastored 13 churches during his ministry and preached for 45 years. He retired from the Baxter United Methodist Church in 2020 after pastoring there for 19 years.

Through the years, he held many revivals and baptized a lot of people. He also preached many funerals, including the ones for his brothers, Donald and Richard.

After retirement, he continued to hold funerals for close friends and family when able.

TJ enjoyed traveling with his wife Virginia. They visited numerous places and wore out three motor homes. His favorite trip was the one he took to Israel. As much as he enjoyed seeing the Holy Land, TJ said the trip he looked forward to the most was the one he'd be taking on "The Old Gospel Ship".

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Harley Bennett, Floyd Bennett, Richard "Shine" Bennett, Ronnie Bennett and Donald Bennett; sisters Geneva Rooks and Janas Bennett.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Mary Virginia Ensor Bennett; son Tony Bennett of Silver Point, TN; daughter Sharon and son-in-law Gwynn Hendrixson of Smithville, TN; grandson James Hendrixson; sisters Carol Prichard of Cookeville, TN; Donnie Randolph of Baxter, TN; Doris Osteen of Nashville, TN; Teresa DiGirolamo of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, and many other loving family members and friends.

A funeral service will be Friday, August 29 at 1 PM at the Baxter United Methodist Church 102 Main Street, Baxter, TN with Rev. Rick Frazier and Rev. Tommy Harris officiating. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday at the church from 11 AM  until service time.

Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements (931)858-2134. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com