David Francis Bennett 61 of Ripley Station Road in Columbia died Monday September 10 2007 at Lexington Medical Center. Born in Newberry on November 30 1945 to the late Ernest and Frances Bennett he was the beloved grandson of the late Frank M. and Kizzie H. Schumpert and J. Floyd and Nellie S. Bennett. David graduated from Newberry High School and received his Bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and remained a loyal Gamecock throughout his life. He also served his country as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Due to his declining health David recently retired from the South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulations where he served as Administrator of the Manufactured Housing Board. David is survived by his wife Dee Aldridge Bennett; two daughters Leigh Bennett-Conner (Andrew) of Norcross Georgia and Sara Bennett (Scott) of Newberry; stepson Zack Winslow (She') of Lexington; grandsons Donovan Bennett Duncan Bennett-Conner Lincoln Winslow; granddaughter Chloe Thackeray; one brother James E. Bennett (Felicia) of Lexington; a sister Linda Smith (Cecil) of Lugoff and nieces nephews and cousins who will mourn his passing. He was pre-deceased by one brother Thomas W. Bennett and sister-in-law Gloria Bennett of Prosperity. David is the great-nephew of Elizabeth Miller of Lexington and the nephew of Doris Gardner of Palm Springs California. Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 PM Thursday at the O'Neal Street United Methodist Church Newberry where David was christened and baptized a church which holds special significance for him. Burial will be in the family plot in Rosemont Cemetery Newberry with Military Honors. The family did receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to O'Neal St. United Methodist Church 511 O'Neal St. Newberry SC 29108 or SCOA Cares Inc. 166 Stoneridge Drive Columbia SC 29210.Active pallbearers were Dondi Best David Rocheleau Grayson Shirey Louis Rosen Doug Green and Willie Fields. Honorary pallbearers will be his friends from the Village Tavern.Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.Whitaker Funeral Home Newberry is assisting the family.