Cara Lynnette Leech Bennett of West Monroe died
peacefully at Ridgecrest Community Center early Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 24, 2017.
Cara Lynnette “Lynn” was born in Coon on April 9, 1929, to parents Luther Carvile Leech from Marshall, Texas, and Ella Bernice Small Leach, originally from
Crowley.
Lynn is survived by her son, Gary Rudolph Bennett from Columbia, her two sisters, Martha Alyne Bennett Barnes and Vickie Jeannette Bennett, both from West Monroe, her daughter-in-love, Terina Bennett, a grandson, Nathanael
Bennett, two granddaughters, Alicia Palmer and Delaney Bennett and one great-grandson, Taiden Dean, all from Tallahassee, Florida.
Lynn was predeceased by her husband, Rudolph Edmond Bennett, her son, Tony Randle Bennett, her mother, Ella
Bernice Bennett, her father, Luther Leach, and two brothers, Merton Barry Bennett, Sr. and Milton Bernice Bennett.
As the story was told many times, Lynn fell in love with Rudolph Bennett when she was only 11-years-old! She graduated
early from Simpson High School and went straight to work for Fort Polk during World War II. Rudolph was serving in the Merchant Marines during this time. As the story goes, Lynn’s parents allowed her to marry the love of her life as soon as she
turned 18 years old! She continued to work at Fort Polk but her job ended when the war ended.
The young couple settled in Elizabeth, where they “raised” their two sons, Gary and Tony, and became members of the Elizabeth Baptist Church. A
wonderful homemaker, Lynn loved to cook for her family and was an adoring mother. She is fondly remembered standing and stirring something delicious at that stove but all the while, looking over her shoulder, visiting and smiling at her loved ones.

Later after the children were on up in school, an opening came up at Fort Polk, and Lynn returned to work as a librarian assistant where she remained until retirement at 62. During her tenure at the Fort Polk Library, Lynn did everything
from drive the bookmobile to the other post libraries to other various positions and departments within the main library. She worked in medical library for a period of time. She trained new military personnel in their new positions and of course,
showed countless others how to navigate and use the resources at the library. She was well known, respected and loved by her work family.
Lynn became a resident at Ridgecrest Community Care Center on Dec. 30, 2014, where she quickly made
new friends. It was here that Lynn fulfilled a life-long dream of starting a Rook Club. Residents would wait in line to get to play at the rook table with Lynn! Wheelchairs would line the halls as residents would wait for one of the players to leave
the table so that they could take their place! It was absolutely wonderful what Lynn Bennett brought to Ridgecrest! Residents played rook for hours and scores were kept! As Lynn’s health began to decline and she became unable to play, Lynn would
still join to watch the others and she delighted in the fact that her Rook Club continued.
The family of the beloved Lynn Bennett, extends special, heartfelt gratitude to all of the nurses and CNAs at Ridgecrest Community. Let it be
proclaimed, what she said many times of how much she loved Ridgecrest and loved the residents which became her new family