Nancylu C. Bennett

Nancylu Crosthwait Bennett was born July 17, 1930, and entered larger life on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021. A memorial service to celebrate Nancylu’s life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Waco on Thursday, April 15, at 10:00 a.m., officiated by the Reverend Jo Mann Craig of Amarillo and the Reverend James Pevehouse of Waco. In keeping with Covid Health protocols which will be in place, please email drcbennett@aol.com if you will attend the service. Nancylu, a lifelong Wacoan, was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Wilson Crosthwait. Nancylu graduated from Hockaday Preparatory School in 1948 and attended Wellesley College in Boston, Massachusetts, from 1948-1950. She graduated from the University of Texas, Austin in 1952. She loved her Longhorns! While at UT, she majored in Latin American studies and became fluent in Spanish. She loved all things involving the Latin American culture as her attire and home furnishings exhibited. Her civic work included serving on the board of Providence Hospital, past active and sustaining member of the Junior League of Waco, the Action Planning Council, the Pastoral Counseling Board, the Cameron Park Study Committee, the Family Counseling and Children’s Services Board President, Planned Parenthood Board, and the Evangelia Settlement Board. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity and lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She served as president of the St. Paul’s School Board of Trustees and taught Spanish at the school part time. Nancylu was the owner of Papagayo, a small retail sales store located in Sironia of Waco and later in Salado for over 25 years. She sold “ethnic clothing” as she referred to it which included hand woven and embroidered tops and dresses, beautiful original folk art, and Mexican jewelry among other things which she made countless trips to Oaxaca, Mexico and beyond to import. Nancylu had many friends and in one circle of friends she was known as the “Sock Queen.” There were many friends who were known as “Sock Princesses,” aspiring to become the Sock Queen. They know who they are! She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Sherman Bennett; her eldest son, Dr. Robert “Robin” S. Bennett, Jr.; and her brother, Dr. Robert “Bobby” Crosthwait. She is survived by sons, Jamey Bennett and wife, Melisa, Clifton Crosthwait Bennett and wife, Caroline, and Kenneth “Kenny” William Bennett and wife, Debbie. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Morgan Fries and husband, Jonathan, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Katherine, Michal, and William Bennett of Waco; and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Carol Crosthwait of Dallas; as well as countless Crosthwait and Aynesworth cousins. The family is grateful to Ms. Paula Ripley, for the loving care she provided Nancylu. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in her name to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or St. Paul’s Episcopal School. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.