Bennett Strange 1936-2008

From http://www.lacollege.edu/news-lc/

Debate Team Dedicates Win to Former Debate Coach
October 6th, 2008
Pineville, LA…Over the weekend, the LC debate team competed in a tournament at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and came away with some fine individual results. Senior team member, Victory Greenhouse, was a quarter-finalist in the novice division and her husband, Jervis Greenhouse, was a semi-finalist in the open division. Additionally, Scot Loyd, LC debate coach, was awarded the first place speaker award for the tournament. The squad will compete next at the LSUA tournament on October 24-26, and then on to Lee College in Tennessee on Oct. 31-Nov. 2.
The LC debate team would like to dedicate their wins to the memory of Bennett Strange, long time coach of the LC debate team, who passed away on Sunday.

For more information about the LC debate team or their schedule, please contact Scot Loyd at 487-7594 or loyd@lacollege.edu.

From http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20081008/OBITUARIES/81007025

Buford Bennett Strange

Buford Bennett strange passed away Sunday, October 5, 2008, in Mansfield. Bennet was surrounded by family and friends as the Lord welcomed him home. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Wednesday, October 8, 2008, at 2 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in Mansfield. Brother Joe Waggener, Dr. Bill Crosby, Dr. Calvin Phelps, and Brother Gary Gregg will be leading the service.
Bennett was born in Mansfield to Mr. and Mrs. Buford Strange on July 18, 1936.

Preceding him in death were his father, Buford Zack Strange, and an infant son.

Surviving Bennett are his wife, college sweetheart, and favorite travel companion, Mayme Vera Stone Strange of Mansfield; his mother, Josie Griffith Strange of Mansfield; his children, Jo-Ruth Strange Mosteller and her husband Bobby of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Vera-Zee Strange Morgan and her husband Mickey of Mansfield, Clinton Buford Strange and his wife Julie of Alabaster, Alabama and Danya-Lee Strange Winter and her husband Danny of Pelham, Alabama; two sisters, Margaret Strange Johnson and her husband Jerry of Baton Rouge and Mary Strange Jackson and her husband Russell of Loranger; brother, Griff Strange and his wife Stacey of Longview, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Danna Stone Spayde of Baton Rouge and Jill Stone Everitt and her husband Andy of Brandon, Mississippi; four grandchildren, Ryan Buford Alan Mosteller, Bennett Arlin Mosteller, and Mayme Meredith Mosteller of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Zack Stone Crawley of Mansfield; two step-grandchildren, Lauren Morgan and her husband Alan Goldspiel of Montevalo, Alabama and Erin Morgan O'Danield and her husband Shannon of Haughton; and many very special nieces and nephews.

Bennett was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Mansfield where he was active in the deacon ministry and the radio /television ministry; he was the force behind the creation of KEPT, the local church radio station. Bennett's pride and joy was his service the Esther Sunday School Class whewre he served as the teacher; the ladies of that class were an inspiration to him and he loved them dearly. Bennett also was very involved in mission activities, both in the United States and abroad.

Bennett was a lifelong resident of Mansfield. He graduated from Mansfield High School in 1954 where he was a high school football player. After graduating from high school, BEnnett enrolled at Louisiana College. It was a LC where Bennett met the love of his life Mayme, by whom he sat everyday in chapel for four years. Bennett was involved in college debate, athletics, and campus publications. Bennett graduated from LC in 1958; married Mayme on May 30, 1959; and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1959. Bennett taught at USM for serveral years and then decided to return home to Mansfield. In 1966 Bennett formed the HEart of Dixie Broadcasting Corporation. Many people may remember Bennett's voice on KDXI/KJVC each day as he brought local news and Wolverine football to the area. Bennett also formed Mansfield Cablevision. He was one of the pioneers involved in developing the Jaycee Ballpark and bringing Dixie Youth Baseball to DeSoto Parish. In the spring of 1988, bennett was approached by Louisiana College to fill a one semester teaching position in the Communication Arts Department. He was directed to teach classes and revive a strugglilng debate team. His one semester appointment eventually turned into a 19 year career. During his tenure at LC, Bennett touched the lives of many students and saw his debate teams succeed on the state, national, and international levels. The International Public Debate Association formed the Bennett Strange Award, an annual award presented to the outstanding Louisiana debate coach. After Bennett retired from LC in 2006, he taught for a semester at Bossier Parish Community College. He was preparing to begin teaching at East Texas Baptist University when he became ill.

Bennett enjoyed life and loved his family; he was a good son, brother, husband, and good friend to many people. Bennett Strange was the greatest of dads. He was known for his sens of humor, his contagious laugh, and for dispensing his own form of wisdom to others. He was well loved and will be greatly mised by his family and friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. Leigh Dillard, his staff and the staff at DeSoto Regional for their care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions at First Baptist Church Mansfield, 1710 McAr thur Drive, Mansfield, LA 71052 or any other Southern Baptist Church.

From http://www.legacy.com/SHREVEPORTTIMES/Obituaries.asp?Page=SearchResults&DateRange=Today&Product=0

Buford Bennett Strange

MANSFIELD, LA - Buford Bennett Strange passed away Sunday, October 5, 2008, in Mansfield. Bennett was surrounded by family and friends as the Lord welcomed him home. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Wednesday, October 8, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in Mansfield. Brother Joe Waggener, Dr. Bill Crosby, Dr. Calvin Phelps, and Brother Gary Gregg will be leading the service.

Bennett was born in Mansfield to Mr. and Mrs. Buford Strange on July 18, 1936.

Preceding him in death were his father, Buford Zack Strange, and an infant son.

Surviving Bennett are his wife, college sweetheart, and favorite travel companion, Mayme Vera Stone Strange of Mansfield; his mother, Josie Griffith Strange, of Mansfield; his children, Jo-Ruth Strange Mosteller and her husband Bobby of Fayetteville, AR, Vera-Zee Strange Morgan and her husband Mickey of Mansfield, Clinton Buford Strange and his wife Julie of Alabaster, AL, and Danya-Lee Strange Winter and her husband Danny of Pelham, AL; two sisters, Margaret Strange Johnson and her husband Jerry of Baton Rouge and Mary Strange Jackson and her husband Russell of Loranger; brother Griff Strange and his wife Stacey of Longview, TX; two sisters-in-law, Danna Stone Spayde of Baton Rouge and Jill Stone Everitt and her husband Andy of Brandon, MS; four grandchildren, Ryan Buford Alan Mosteller, Bennett Arlin Mosteller, and Mayme Meredith Mosteller of Fayetteville, AR, and Zack Stone Crawley of Mansfield; two step-grandchildren, Lauren Morgan and her husband Alan Goldspiel of Montevalo, AL, and Erin Morgan O'Daniel and her husband Shannon of Haughton; and many very special nieces and nephews.

Bennett was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Mansfield where he was active in the deacon ministry and the radio/television ministry; he was the force behind the creation of KEPT, the local church radio station. Bennett's pride and joy was his service to the Esther Sunday School Class where he served as the teacher; the ladies of that class were an inspiration to him and he loved them dearly. Bennett also was very involved in mission activities, both in the United States and abroad.

Bennett was a lifelong resident of Mansfield. He graduated from Mansfield High School in 1954 where he was a high school football player. After graduating from high school, Bennett enrolled at Louisiana College. It was at LC where Bennett met the love of his life, his wife Mayme, by whom he sat everyday in chapel for four years. Bennett was involved in college debate, athletics, and campus publications. Bennett graduated from LC in 1958; married Mayme on May 30, 1959; and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1959. Bennett taught at USM for several years and then decided to return home to Mansfield. In 1966 Bennett formed the Heart of Dixie Broadcasting Corporation. Many people may remember Bennett's voice on KDXI/KJVC each day as he brought local news and Wolverine football to the area.

Bennett also formed Mansfield Cablevision. He was one of the pioneers involved in developing the Jaycee Ballpark and bringing Dixie Youth Baseball to DeSoto Parish. In the spring of 1988, Bennett was approached by Louisiana College to fill a one semester teaching position in the Communication Arts Department. He was directed to teach classes and revive a struggling debate team. His one semester appointment eventually turned into a 19 year career. During his tenure at LC, Bennett touched the lives of many students and saw his debate teams succeed on the state, national, and international level. The International Public Debate Association formed the Bennett Strange Award, an annual award presented to the outstanding Louisiana debate coach. After Bennett retired from LC in 2006, he taught for a semester at Bossier Parish Community College. He was preparing to begin teaching at East Texas Baptist University when he became ill.

Bennett enjoyed life and loved his family; he was a good son, brother, husband, and good friend to many people. Bennett Strange was the greatest of dads. He was known for his sense of humor, his contagious laugh, and for dispensing his own form of wisdom to others. He was well loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. Leigh Dillard, his staff, and the staff at DeSoto Regional for their care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions at First Baptist Church Mansfield, 1710 McArthur Drive, Mansfield, LA 71052, or any other Southern Baptist Church. Rose-Neath Funeral Home.