Peggy Ann Bennett-Arenburg

Peggy Ann Bennett-Arenburg departed this life peacefully and went to spend eternity with her heavenly father on August 5, 2020. She was born on August 15, 1951 to Emilie Irene Stiglets Bennett and Arthur Carlton (A.C.) Bennett in Gulfport, Mississippi. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her stepfather, Jasper A. Kennington; and a sister, Mary Elma Bennett. She is survived by her husband, John Harris Arenburg of Natchitoches, LA, her children, Brenda Lee Bennett Pleasant and her husband Waymon Pleasant of Robeline, LA, Kimberly Dawn Bennett Sturkie and her husband Sammy Sturkie of Rock Hill, S.C., Richard Wayne Bennett and wife Andria Maples Bennett of Robeline, LA, her grandchildren, Chantly Leanna Sturkie of Rock Hill, S.C., Travis Ray Bennett of Robeline, LA, Kalie Nicole Drago of Chelan, WA, Cpl. Dewayne Carlton (D.C.) Duncan of Robeline, LA, an a host of nieces, nephews, friends and her special love, her dog, Princess, who brought her lots of unconditional love. Peggy grew up in Gulfport, MS. Her family moved to Sumter, S.C. when her stepfather was transferred to Shaw AFB in 1966. She married Wallace Raymond Bennett, Jr. in 1968 and they had three children. In 1975, they bought a house on Lake Wateree in Camden, S.C. where they lived together until 1988 when they divorced and she moved home to Gulfport, MS. During the time that she lived in S.C. she began a career as a EMT/Paramedic with the EMS at Kershaw County Memorial Hospital where she worked for 7 years before she went to work with the South Carolina Department of Health and Enviromental Control as an EMS inspector to include skills evaluation for certification and Ambulance inspection and certification involving patient transport of both emergency and non-emergency transports. During this time she was also a volunteer fire fighter. When she moved home, she continued her career in the medical field by working as a Cardiac Tech at Memorial Hospital of Gulfport, then by getting a degree in EEG/Neurology. It was during this time that she met John and they were married in 1997 and they moved to Natchitoches, LA where she worked for Dr. Christopher Ingram until the time of her retirement. She loved her job but what she held closest to her heart was that of being a mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many. She will be dearly missed but always lovingly remembered by her family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6 pm until 8 pm on Monday, August 10, 2020 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches. There will be a memorial service officiated by Rev. Tommy Rush at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 11 am. Burial will follow at American Cemetery in Natchitoches, LA. Those honored to serve as pallbearers include her grandson, Travis Ray Bennett, nephew, Jasper Carl Fernandez, son-in-law, Waymon Lynn Pleasant and close family friends, Christoper Ingram, MD, Dexter Humphery and Jarred Earl Merrill. Honorary pallbearers will be her son, Richard Wayne Bennett, grandson, Cpl. Dewayne Carlton Duncan, son-in-law, Sammy Sturkie. While receiving treatment at MD Anderson, every time Peggy saw a child who was a patient she would say, "God bless them. I don't understand what is happening to me so I know that they don't understand what is happening to them." Peggy was a regular donor to St Jude's, so in lieu of flowers, donations in Peggy's name can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Mempis, TN 38105.