Bennie Ross, age 81,  passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Olton, Texas. Cremation services are under the care of Lemons Funeral Home in Plainview.

Bennie Lou Ross was born to Bennie and Luella Dearmon on November 7, 1943, in Chickasha, Oklahoma. She married Martin E. (Gene) Ross on December 6, 1961, and they were married 60 years until his passing in 2022.

For many years, Bennie worked alongside her husband, Gene, at Ross Family Cotton Gin in Sunnyside, Texas, and maintained the office. She was meticulous and efficient. When they later moved to Halfway, Bennie immersed herself in teaching Sunday School at Halfway Baptist Church. She had a thirst for learning the Bible and had recorded thousands of notes in the margins of Bibles. She had a love for animals but especially birds. She was known as the "bird lady of Plainview," rescuing and caring for countless birds.

Bennie is preceded in death by her husband, Martin E. Ross; Bennie Dearmon (father); Lou Noonan (mother); Lt. Col. Anthony Noonan (stepfather); a grandson, Trey Robb; and a son-in-law; Steve Hiland.

Bennie is survived by her 3 daughters, Tamara McLain and husband Bud of Amarillo, Texas, Rhonda Reeve and husband Jay of Athens, Texas, and Chanin Hiland of Eddyville, Kentucky; a sister-in-law, Frances Dearmon of Wichita Falls; 8 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, Shawn Noonan and wife, Suzannah, of Las Vegas, Nevada; one sister, Tonya Herring and husband, Denny, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; 3 nieces and 3 nephews.

Please consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association.