Joan Marie Craffets Bennett

Joan Marie Craffets Bennett, age 92, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away peacefully at home on September 9, 2025, surrounded by her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Jefferson Bennett; her parents, Lucy Maesch Craffets and Edward Craffets; her brothers, Edward and Johnny; and her sister Mary Elizabeth.

She is survived by her loving daughters: Kelly Dunn (John), Barbara Crowe (Jeff), Christina Cary (Paul), and Rebecca Mink (Bill); 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren (with two more on the way) - 39 immediate family members in all; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Joan was born on April 16, 1933, in Seelyville, Indiana. After graduating high school, she worked for many years as a telephone operator. While living in Terre Haute, she met the love of her life, Jeff Bennett, and they married in 1961. Soon after, they moved to Huntsville, Alabama, where Jeff began work at Redstone Arsenal, and together they raised four daughters.

Family was the heart of Joan's life. She faithfully attended every ballgame, recital, school program, and family gathering. Known affectionately as "Mom B" by many of her daughters' friends, she was a welcoming presence to anyone who entered her home. If you were blessed to sit at her table, you enjoyed her famous cooking - especially the homemade noodles, fried chicken, and lemon pound cake. Thanksgiving dinners were legendary. In the kitchen, laughter was required, and you might be pulled into a dance or teased with her sharp sense of humor.

Joan was also a passionate fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Atlanta Braves, especially Matt Olson. She and Jeff spent many fall Saturdays at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and they loved traveling with their grandchildren. Trips to Disney, Atlanta, Branson, and Gatlinburg created memories still told in "cousin stories" today, with Dollywood always a favorite stop.

Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, September 12, at 11 o'clock in the morning, at Hazel     Green Funeral Home, followed by the funeral service. Interment will take place at Valhalla Cemetery.     Pallbearers will be her grandsons Phillip Dunn, Mitchell West, Jeffrey Dunn, Noah Hayden, Marshall Cary, Bennett Mink, along with sons-in-law Jeff Crowe and Bill Mink.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.