Lynnette A. Bennett

Smart, curious, cautious and determined best describe Lynnette as a child. Born June 29, 1976, to Celeste Perry (Garrett) and Bryant Houston. She would ask questions, but if you didn’t give a satisfactory answer, she’d try to figure it out on her own.

Growing up as an only child who always wanted a sibling, living in an apartment complex with an onsite swimming pool, nearby roller rink and drive-in theatre, provided ample playmates and helped foster that fierce independence many of us came to know. Even then she exhibited traits of loyalty and trust when fostering special friendships that continued throughout her lifetime.

Euclid High School introduced her to a variety of activities including Basketball, Flag Corp and Multicultural Club, in addition to continuing to play violin in the Orchestra. In 1994 Lynnette attended The Ohio State University where she thrived as the typical college student, making lifelong friends, holding down a few jobs and an occasional appearance on the Dean’s list. In 2000, she graduated with a Bachelor of Communication degree and went on to receive a Master’s in Human Resource Administration with a graduate certificate in Public Administration from Central Michigan University in 2008.

Spiritually, Starlight Missionary Baptist Church helped lay the foundation that led to her accepting Jesus Christ as her Savior, at an early age. Church provided plenty of youth activities, while Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, the Junior Usher Board and Church Nursery work, provided opportunities for ministry.

After graduating from Ohio State, Lynn returned home to Cleveland Ohio, but within a year an employment opportunity paved the way for her to come back to Columbus and become a permanent residence. This also left her needing a new church home which she found in the Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist church under the leadership of Bishop Donald J. Washington. Here, she continued to worship and participate in Women’s Ministry, the Reflections of Praise Dance Ministry, a few years teaching Vacation Bible School to 3–5 year old’s and for a while assisted with the Drill Team and Drama Club.

Family was always important to Lynnette. Reunions, vacations, holiday celebrations, Sunday dinners and game nights were often events she looked forward to. Living away from home cut back on these interactions but, “Sometimes family is not always through blood, but by choice”. In 2003, Lynn joined Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., where she held a number of local and regional offices, and participated in numerous community service efforts, for over 21 years. It was through this organization that she formed some of her closest friendships. These weren’t just friends, they became family. Sisters, if you will. It was relationships such as these from college, church and sorority that gave strength and support to Lynnette as she faced challenges through life and health.

Not only did Lynn find family in friendships, but she also met and in 2010 married Carence Bennett. If you ask, he’ll say she pursued him, but Lynnette would argue that it was the other way around. Either way, church is where they met, married and brought their two children Maya and Cam for family worship. She also gained an extended family of in-laws and many more relatives, whom she would come to love and they would love her. Carence was the love of her life. A friend and partner navigating parenthood together. Someone she could share her love of football with. Lynn was a die hard Browns fan and they both were nuts for the Buckeyes. As a mom, she loved to spend time with Maya and Cameron, taking them to the Fair, the Zoo, movies, playing games and supporting their academic, creative and sports activities.

Just as Lynnette’s family life grew, so did her work life. Progressing from working cases for Franklin County Job and Family Services, to training, to managing, then Director over Community Engagement and Support Services. Her motto was “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready” and her passion was to help others develop so they too could accomplish their goals.

Lynnette was preceded in death by her father, Bryant Houston and leaves behind her husband, Carence; daughter, Maya; son, Cameron; mother, Celeste Garrett; brother, Lloyd (Chris) Garrett; sister, Briana Houston and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and loving friends.

Visitation 9:00am and Funeral 10:00am Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Mt. Hermon Missionary Baptist Church, 2283 Sunbury Road.

Interment at Glen Rest Memorial Estates.