Etta Bennett

Etta "Gale" Gruhlkey Bennett of Panhandle, died peacefully in her home on Friday, February 26, 2016. A memorial service will be at 1:00 pm, Tuesday March 1st at First United Methodist Church in Panhandle. There will be a visitation with the family at Minton Chatwell funeral Directors in Panhandle Monday evening from 5 to 7.

Gale was born in Amarillo on March 30, 1949 to Roger Mills "Slick" and Cosetta (Snook) Gruhlkey. She was raised in Adrian, Texas where she graduated from Adrian High School in 1967. Gale graduated from West Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in 1973. She also graduated from the Belford University with a Master of Arts in 2005. Gale married Neal Bennett on November 17, 1971 in Hereford, Texas and in 1973 they moved to Panhandle where they began farming. She taught school for 20 years (Panhandle Elementary for 15 years, White Deer Elementary for 4 years and Borger Elementary for one year). Gale was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Panhandle where she taught Sunday School for many years. Gale was a member of the Antigone Club and the Amarillo Aggie Mom's Club. She served on the Carson County FSA Committee and the Carson County Ag Advisory Board.

Gale enjoyed being a farmer's wife, a Mom, and Gram. Her hobbies included painting, calligraphy, pottery, sewing, quilting and scrapbooking. She taught painting and calligraphy classes.

Gale is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Roger Gruhlkey.

Survivors include her husband, Neal of the home; three daughters, Tammie Purvines and husband, John; Jamie Moore and husband Jeremy; Stacie Pahl and husband, Tommy all of Panhandle; seven grandchildren, Colton, Casey and Caley Purvines, Jaelyn and Jaret Moore, Annie and Emerie Pahl; her twin brother, Dale Gruhlkey and wife Carol of Adrian; and sisters, Mary Carter and husband, Buford of Scottsbluff, Nebraska and Billie Neal of Amarillo; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 549, Panhandle, TX 79068 or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 3610 22nd St. #301, Lubbock, TX 79410.

Visitation

Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors
510 N. Main St.
Panhandle, TX  79068
Monday, February 29, 2016
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Service

First United Methodist ChurchPanhandle
600 Main
Panhandle, TX  79068
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
1:00 pm

Cemetery

Panhandle Cemetery
East 6th. Street
Panhandle, TX  79068

Memorial Contributions

First United Methodist Church
Box 549
Panhandle, TX  79068

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 361022nd St. #301
3610 22nd St. #301
Lubbock, TX  79410