Hovis Manuel Bennett Jr., 65, of Hickory passed away Thursday, September 1, 2022 at Caldwell Memorial Hospital. Born April 4th, 1957 he was the son of the late Hovis Manuel Bennett Sr. and Brenda Southern Westmoreland. Hovis enjoyed the outdoors and fishing. He loved all sports but basketball was his favorite; he never missed an opportunity to cheer on his UNC Tar Heels. He spent years helping others through his work with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Friends of Bill W. We will always remember his motto "one day at a time" which is how he fought to live his life everyday including during his difficult battle with lung cancer.

He is survived by two daughters Amy Hayton (Tim) of Hickory and Jessica Coffey (Andy) of Bethlehem; a son Joshua Bennett (Kimberly) of Vale; two sisters Torri Miller (Gray) of Winston-Salem and Gina Cheek (Kenneth) of Phoenix, AZ; two brothers Frank Bennett of Raleigh and Greg Bennett of Winston-Salem; eleven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his step-father Bobby Westmoreland.

The family will honor his life with a private memorial service.

Memorials may be made to Healing Transitions at 1251 Goode Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 or through their website https://healing-transition-s.org/donate.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.caringcremations.net. The Bennett family has entrusted arrangements to Caring Cremations Life Celebrations and Funerals at 828-855-3350.