A TIME TO BE BORN
Mattie Lee McDonald Bennett (also known as M.L.) was born on June 7, 1942, to the late Clara Eugene McDonald and Mattie Durant McDonald in Lynchburg, South Carolina.  She was one of eleven children.

A TIME TO PLANT
Mattie was educated in Lee County Public Schools. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1958. She then moved to Winston-Salem, N.C. She worked at several jobs (Little Rex Café, Bell Brothers Cafeteria, Pell Care Nursing Home, etc.) before getting training as a Medical Unit Secretary.  She worked as a Medical Unit Secretary for Norh Carolina Baptist Hospital for 15 years, Piedmont Dialysis for 5 years, Charter Mandolin for 5 years; and then Forsyth Memorial Hospital/Novant for 12 years, where she retired in 1999.
Mattie was married to John Davis Bennett. Together they raised four children: Calonette M. McDonald (Washington, D.C.), Micheal C. Autery (Winston-Salem, N.C.), Stephon L. Autery (San Leandro, California) and Teir R. Autery (Winston-Salem, N.C.)  She has four grandchildren- Tenea L. Smith, J. Autery, John Autery, and Catherine Autery and two great grandchildren- Jasmin Smith and Jada Smith.
Mattie grew up in the church. In Winston-Salem, she and her family joined St. John Baptist Church. She stressed attendance at worship service, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and participation in other church activities.  Once her children were adults, she and John joined Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church (BMBC).  At BMBC, she was head of the Nurse's Unit, coordinator of the Thanksgiving Baskets Give-Away and creator of the March Madness Choir Celebration.
Mattie believed in family and encouraged family gathering for holidays and family reunions. She served as a caregiver for several of her loved ones. She was known for assisting others in need – providing furniture for a destitute family, preparing meals for a grieving family and clothing for those in need.
Mattie enjoyed sports. She was a great supporter of the Winston-Salem State University basketball and football teams.  She and John had season tickets to the games and travel to away games in support of the team. Mattie also founded and played on a Winston-Salem City League softball team – The Nephrons.
Mattie enjoyed cooking and particularly baking. She cooked and baked for church and work events; and was often requested to make special dishes, pound cakes and cheesecakes for individuals. She made birthday cakes for every child on the block where she lived. She had a great love for children.
Mattie was an active volunteer with SCAN -Stop Child Abuse Now (A non-profit organization dedicated to preventing and treating child abuse and neglect). She also volunteered with the Samaritan Ministries Soup Kitchen where they feed the homeless.  She served as a foster parent to Denisha, Sentrone, Johnathan and Maria and many others during her empty nest phase.

A TIME TO DIE
Mattie transited from her earthly life on Sunday,January 12, 2025, at the age of 82.  She was preceded in death by her siblings: Licenia Mashack, Rebecca Anderson, Elliouse Mashack Bentley, Lee Faye Mack, Sarah D. McDonald, William Eugene McDonald, John Edgar McDonald, Ronnie Williams and her spiritual sister Dorothy Pickett.
She leaves to cherish her memory Ruth Geneva Benjamin of Newark, New Jersey, Irene Knott (John) of North Chesterfield, Virginia and Ruby McDonald Brown of Atlanta, Georgia and a host of nephews, nieces, other family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Friday January 17, 2025 at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 10:30 am-11:00 am at the church. Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial Park.