Bennie Mae Gunn

1934 ~ 2025

Date of Death: April 28, 2025

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In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Gunn Family. Bennie Mae's earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Bennie Mae Gunn.

Sincerely,

Derrick Veasley ~ Director

Henry Veasley ~ Director

Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain

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Life began for Bennie Mae Ware Gunn in Fort Smith, Arkansas with her parents Ben and Muriel Ware.

In a memoir she wrote for her daughter, she shared that her birth certificate states her middle name

as Marie. But her mother said whoever took down the information misunderstood and wrote the

wrong name.

As little girls, Bennie and her younger sister Juanita Faye attended elementary school in Hot Springs,

AR, Portland, OR, and Fort Smith, AR. She continued her education at Lincoln High School (Fort Smith).

After graduation Bennie thought about going to New York to attend the Katherine Dunham Dance

School and becoming a dancer. Instead, she headed to Lincoln University (Jefferson City, MO), where

she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Education. She went on to earn an Elementary Education

 certification at Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI) and completed advance studies at the University

 of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

A dedicated and innovative educator, Bennie served the Milwaukee Public Schools as an elementary

school teacher from 1959-1992. She was chosen to develop and direct the first Computer Education

Program at Hopkins Street Elementary School in 1988 and held the position until her retirement.

Long before she made a commitment to teaching, she developed her gifts and talent at Mallalieu Unit-

ed Methodist Church (Fort Smith) where she attended with her mother and sister. Muriel made sure

her daughters took an active part in church and the community. Bennie and Juanita were in the first

Girl Scout troop for black girls in Fort Smith.

While at Lincoln University, in between playing bid whist in the dorm and going to class, Bennie was

initiated into the Alpha Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1954. During her 70 years

of membership in the sorority, she served on various committees and in leadership roles for Milwaukee

Alumnae and Fort Smith Alumnae chapters. She was presented with the Milwaukee Alumnae Delta of

the Year Award and was instrumental in the chartering Fort Smith Alumnae in 1995 where she served

as the chapter’s first president. In addition to introducing the Fort Smith community to Delta Sigma

Theta, she reunited and served the community through Mallalieu and the Lincoln High School Alumni

Association. She was also a Life Member of the NAACP and donated to many organizations.

Her love for music and dance did not end when she went to Lincoln University. To the end she was a

fan of Al Green, Dionne Warrick, Nancy Wison, Berry White, and many other artists.

She was proceeded in death by her husband James Gunn, daughter Kathy Young, parents Ben and

Muriel Ware, sister Juanita Faye Spicer, and half-brothers Ray Joe Ware and Ben Ware, Jr. Bennie is

survived by her daughter Laurie Gunn of Atlanta, GA and nephews, nieces, and a host of cousins.

Celebration of life service will be Monday May 5, 2025, 11:00am New Covenant International Christian Center

4400 North N St., Fort Smith, Arkansas 72904.

Committal and final resting place: Oak Cemetery 1401 South Greenwood Ave., Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.