Obituary

Norman Henry Bennett

December 3, 1943 - January 27, 2026

Norman Henry Bennett, age 82 and of Amite, LA, died January 27, 2026 at home. He was born on December 3, 1943 to Norman E. and Claud Clark Bennett in Amite, LA. Henry attended Amite High School, Southeastern Louisiana College and Louisiana State University.

He worked for more than fifty years for the State of Louisiana. He began his career with the Department of Health and Human Resources in 1966 until he retired in 1999. He returned to work in 2002 to the Department of Health and Hospitals where he worked until 2019. He received the Charles E. Dunbar, Jr. Award in the same year. At that time, he and Merrie were the only married couple to have both received that award.

He was a gifted athlete and played football, baseball and tennis. He had a lifelong love of music and enjoyed singing, playing the guitar and clarinet.

Henry is survived by his wife of 60 years Merrie Christmas Bennett, daughters Renee Bennett Primes, Lori Bennett Petitto (Michael, Sr.), grandchildren Christine Jones Smith (Cody), Mikki Jones, and great-grandchildren Peyton Smith, Cameron Smith and Vincent Jones, brother Robert (Donna) Bennett, and brother-in-law Charles D. (Kay) Christmas.

He was preceded in death by his parents Norman and Claud Bennett, son-in-law, Christopher K. Primes and brother-in-law, Dayle Christmas.

A member of First United Methodist Church of Amite, Henry sang in the choir and served on multiple committees. He found great joy in worship and fellowship with his church family.

Visitation will be Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Amite LA. Interment will follow at Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite LA.

Pallbearers will be Errol Durr, Michael Petitto, Michael Petitto, Jr., Michael Christmas, Michael Christmas, II., and Peyton Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorials or donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Amite or a charity of your choice.