Bennie Seawright

Dear Family and Friends,

If you are reading this letter you know that I transitioned to a greater life on September 28, 2017, in Atlanta, Georgia. Since I have made my transition to spend eternity with my family and friends who predeceased me, I’d like to share with you a little bit about me and the enormous and rewarding impact you made on my life.


On February 2, 1918, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, I was the first of seven girls to be born to the late Ben Mobley and Louie Emma Laton Mobley. As a young girl, I was baptized into the New Mount Olivet A.M.E. Zion Church. I attended Emmett Scott Elementary School and Emmett Scott High School. Yes, back then the schools were on the same grounds in one big building, under one name. While at Emmett Scott, I was a serious basketball player, which is why I have a great interest in basketball ‘til this day. At that time, high schools graduated seniors from the 11th grade, the highest-grade level one could attain in high school. And on May
29, 1935, I graduated from Emmett Scott High School.


After graduating high school, I attended South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, South Carolina. (Now, called South Carolina State University). Being away from home, on my own for the first time, I knew I needed to get money to help pay my tuition. As a 98 pound, petite and aggressive, woman, the only thing I could think of was to write to the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt. I asked him how might I get money to help pay my college tuition? He wrote back. I guess it was someone on his staff who responded to me and he just signed the letter. But he told me what I needed to do and whom I needed to see, at “State College”, to get help with paying my tuition. I got my financial assistance, plus a job on campus to provide spending money. This was a relief because it allowed me to truly focus on my studies and  to pursue my love for basketball. Yes, 98 pound, 5 foot Bennie Mobley played intramural basketball (I loved basketball) at “State College”. My experience, with getting funding to pay my tuition, allowed me to help my 6 sisters, who went to “State College” after me, get funding assistance with paying their tuition. As a result, we all graduated with degrees from South Carolina State College. I graduated May 30, 1939, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.


My first teaching job, after graduating from “State College”’ was in Jefferson, South Carolina. During my first year in Jefferson, I decided I wanted to be in a larger school system in a city that was larger than Jefferson. I was lucky to get a job in the Greenville County School System, teaching at Gower Street Elementary School. After a few years at Gower, I transferred to the Union School, then on Birnie Street.


During my stay at the Union School, the other teachers and I had the honor of filling young minds with knowledge and instilling self confidence that helped them believe in themselves. Their understanding of the meaning of respect for others, the value of a good education, along with their personal determination, would give them the foundation to do whatever they truly wanted to do in life. At the Union School, I also taught veterans returning from World War II and non-military adults who wanted to get their GED. Teaching adults was a little more challenging than teaching children. However, the message to them was the same. The delivery method was different. At the end of the day these adults were more comfortable in who they were and they had thoughts of new opportunities because they could now read, write and do simple
math.

When I left the Union School, I taught at Burgess Elementary School, West Greenville Elementary School and West Gantt Elementary School. While at West Gantt Elementary, I decided to retire after working 42 years as an educator, 41 years in the Greenville County School System and 1 year in Jefferson, South Carolina. I loved every moment of teaching!

I have been a member of Israel Metropolitan C.M.E. Church since I came to Greenville in 1940. I was a member of the Stewardess Board and the Fragment Gatherers, which no longer exist after being functional for many, many years. And because of my love for teaching, I taught Sunday school for elementary-aged children, including my daughter, Emma Lee, who was in my Sunday school class at the same time she was in my 5th grade class.

I did find time to do things other than teach during those 42 years. I loved to play bridge and I became a part of a bridge club with women who were as passionate about playing bridge as I was. We played for more than 30 years, going from a regular deck of cards to the deck of cards that have the OVERSIZED numbers. I was also dedicated to doing things that benefited our community. As a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Epsilon Tau Omega Chapter, Greenville, South Carolina, I enjoyed working with our community projects, especially the debutante balls we presented every 2 years. Working with the young ladies over the 2-year period, getting them ready, both mentally and physically to be presented to society on that special night, was one of the most rewarding activities in which I have ever participated.

On June 1, 1946, Robert Lee Seawright and I were united in Holy Matrimony. This union was blessed with a wonderful daughter, Emma Lee Seawright Gilbert. Emma Lee made me “jump for joy” when I was blessed with a grandson, Charles Seawright Gilbert. Emma Lee and Charles, I want you to celebrate my life. To date, I have lived a long exciting and joyful 99 years, 7 months and 26 days. I go with God where there is eternal peace and joy. We had good times together and we have good memories that cannot be erased or deleted. Those memories are the bond that will keep us together for an eternity. I know you loved me and you know that I loved the two of you dearly. Be joyful in life and know that we will meet again.

From my place in eternity, I now join my parents and 5 sisters: Mrs. Rosa Laton Mobley Armstead, Mrs. Carrie Jerome Mobley Hampton, Mrs. Vernal LaVoid Mobley Alexander, Mrs. Fredine Mobley Sloan and Mrs. Willie George Mobley White.

To celebrate my life, I leave my daughter, Emma Lee Seawright Gilbert, Marietta, Georgia; my grandson, Charles (Pamela) Seawright Gilbert, Newnan, Georgia; my last sister, Mrs. Gloria Jean Mobley Brown, Rock Hill, South Carolina; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, extended family and friends.

I have enjoyed sharing my life’s story with you. I know that Emma Lee and Charles and the rest of my family would like to express their sincere thanks for the prayers and expressions of kindness you have shown over the past two weeks. And I would like to say that I appreciate your coming out to share my last sermon. Now if you have any questions about my life’s story I’ll answer them when I see you again.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Bennie Louvenia Mobley Seawright