Bennie Jean Gunnell

Bennie Jean Gunnell, 78, of Stuttgart, Arkansas passed away at home on June 28, 2023.

Bennie was born February 11, 1945, in Humnoke, Arkansas to Gene and Lorene Haskins. She was a 1963 graduate of Humnoke High School. She was a long-time employee of Baptist Health in Stuttgart. Bennie was an emergency room supervisor for many years before she retired in 2003. She was a member of Baptist Health Women’s Auxiliary and volunteered at the Gift Shop before it closed in 2020.

Bennie was a single mother and raised her daughters with the help of many family and friends. She loved to celebrate occasions and made even the most ordinary day special. Bennie loved to paint, quilt, garden, and read. She passed her love of reading to her daughters and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Forest Edward “Buddy” Haskins, and a sister, Anna Maurice Mock. Bennie was previously married to Edward Lee Morrisette and the couple had three beautiful daughters. He was truly the love of her life and preceded her in death in 2003.

Bennie is survived by her children, daughters, Connie (Billy) Longnecker of Stuttgart, Jayme (Chris) McCants of Little Rock, and Amy (Bobby) Davis of Sherwood; sister, Marian (Roger) McGovern of Rogers; her beloved grandchildren, Jace (Karen) Longnecker of Atlanta, Georgia, Jacob and Jenna Davis of Sherwood, Arkansas, and Lauren Ragar of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Visitation is 10 a.m. Saturday, July 1, at Turpin Funeral Home with funeral services, officiated by Bro. Steve Bushey, following at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Lighthouse Church, 2009 South Oak Street, Stuttgart, AR 72160; Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601, https://act.alz.org ; or Stuttgart Public Library, 2002 South Buerkle, Stuttgart, AR 72160.

To celebrate her love of reading, please donate a book to your favorite school or teacher!