Charlotte Louise (Stumph) Bennett

Mrs. Charlotte Louise Stumph Bennett, age 86, of Moravian Falls passed away peacefully on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Wilkes Health and Rehabilitation, following a lengthy illness. She was surrounded by loved ones.

A private memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Mahala Thompson Stumph; her beloved husband, Dr. John N Bennett; son-in-law, Dr. Paul Duvall; brothers, Richard Stumph, James Stumph, and Charles Stumph; also, her long-time neighbors and special friends, Bobby and Kathleen Morehouse.

Charlotte was born on June 5, 1939, in Madison County (Indianapolis), Indiana, where she lived until graduation from high school. Upon graduation from Northwestern University in Illinois, Charlotte taught high-school mathematics in Simi Valley, California. Later, in 1966, she became the first Dean of Women at the NC School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. After a one-year tenure, upon her marriage to Dr. John N Bennett, she moved to Moravian Falls, NC. It was from there that she commuted to UNC-Chapel Hill to earn a Doctorate of Education (Counseling) in 1969, and eventually a Juris Doctor (JD) from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1974. Charlotte practiced law for twenty-two years (1974-1996) in Wilkesboro, NC.

As a continuation of her life-long interest in education and learning, Charlotte served on the Board of Directors at Wilkes Community College for several years. She also travelled extensively with her husband and friends, to various locations in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. She enjoyed tennis, snow-skiing, and sailing in the Caribbean. Later in life, Charlotte enjoyed gathering with family, and following events in the lives of her six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Charlotte is survived by her daughter, Teresa Bennett Duval of Brevard; sons, Dr. Craig Randall Bennett (Kathy) of Wilkesboro and Dr. Lawrence Northwood Bennett (Karan Kinch) of Olympia, Washington; grandchildren, Laura Brandon Duvall (John Paulette)of New York, N.Y., Anna Bennett Duvall of Asheville, and John Andrew Duvall of Denver, Colorado; Brad Northwood Bennett (Holly) of Summerfield, Erin Bennett White (Dean) of Fuquay Varina, Allison Bennett Dundon (Paul) of Stokesdale; great-grandchildren, Owen Northwood Bennett, Ava Grace Bennett, Ellie Faith Bennett, Adley Hope Bennett, Drew Northwood White, Brett Michael White, Caroline Reese Dundon, Avery Kate Dundon and Natalie Christine Dundon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wilkes Community College Foundation, PO Box 120, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 or The Salvation Army, 910 C Street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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