Pastor Virnetta J. Bennett, was born on Aug. 17, 1951, to Mrs. Virginia and the late Henry Jackson Sr. She departed this life on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter.

Virnetta distinguished herself as a Christian at an early age at Allen Chapel AME Church in Sumter. She later accepted the call to ministry in 1978 and began Samaria Healing Temple in 1980. In 1998, she founded Fellowship Outreach Ministries, where she served faithfully as senior pastor for almost 20 years and worked tirelessly to impact the surrounding community and advance the kingdom.

Virnetta was a true visionary who had a passion for helping the poor and underserved in the community. Her passion for helping others led her to establish Luvs Community Development project, a not-for-profit organization that was geared toward serving the disenfranchised in Sumter County. She also served as an HIV counselor for the Wateree Community Actions and an ombudsman for Santee Lynches.

Those left to cherish her memory are: her mother, Virginia M. Jackson; five children, Harold L. Bennett Jr., Doretha J. Bennett, Yvonne L. (Raymond Jr.) Johnson, Debra D. Bennett and Chris (Bisi) Bennett; grandchildren, Harold L. Bennett, Brittany Bennett, Rayonna Johnson, Christopher Gilyard, Raymond Johnson III, Raevahna Johnson; and a host of great-grands, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Henry Jackson Sr.; her husband, James Evans Sr.; and her three siblings: Henrietta Jackson, Henry Jackson Jr. and Audrey J. Baxter.

Public viewing will be held on Tuesday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Job's Mortuary.

Pastor Bennett will be placed in the church on Wednesday at 10 a.m. for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center, 101 S. Salem Ave., with Bishop Johnnie Lee Gilliam as the eulogist and the Rev. George E. Hicks officiating.

Interment will follow in Beulah Haynesworth Cemetery.

Family will receive friends at the home, 160 Keels Road, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Job's Mortuary Inc, 312 S. Main St, is in charge of arrangements.