Mrs. Lurlie Ballard Bennett, 93, of Oak Grove Church Road, Carrollton passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2008. Mrs. Bennett was born in Carroll County on July 23, 1915 the daughter of the late Howard V. Ballard and Maggie Gillespie Ballard. Mrs. Bennett was a retired cosmetologist and member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. Mrs. Bennett began her hairdresser's apprenticeship in Roopville Ga. in 1932. It was the beginning of a 56 year career collecting a National Cosmetology Membership Award, Certificates from The University of Georgia Cosmetology and Continuing Education, special Certificate for hair shaping and design from Vidal Sassoon and Cosmetologist of the Year Award. In 1946 Lurlie joined the National Hairdressers Association and helped organize affiliates in LaGrange and Douglas County. She installed a salon booth at Tanner Medical Center under Mr. Warren's administration and later moved it to Carrollton's first convalescent center. She organized volunteers from the local affiliates to donate their services to the sick and elderly. She drove a taxi in Louisville Kentucky during the war and survived the Ohio River flood in1937. She worked with many civic organizations collecting thousands of dollars for The American Cancer Society, in memory of her husband, funded surgeries for uninsured patients, and collecting large donations for The Moose Heart Orphanage. Lurlie served as President of the Carrollton B&PW Club, President of The A&M Alumni Association, President of the Women of the Moose, Chairperson for Carroll Tech Cosmetology Advisory Committee, Secretary-Treasurer of the West Ga. Cosmetology Affiliate and member of the Georgia Cosmetology Committee serving as Instructor and a judge for beauty contests throughout Georgia and Alabama. Lurlie was an active member of Tabernacle Baptist Church for over 50 years singing in both the Sanctuary and PraiSingers Choirs. She also sang Gospel Hour on the local radio station with James Maxwell on Sunday afternoon. She loved to write poetry for special occasions, was a member of a bowling team, play Bingo at the Moose Lodge and enjoyed dancing. She is one of two surviving members of the A&M Alumni Association. Survivors include, daughters and son-in-law, Janet B. Wynens of Douglasville, Dale Bennett & Johnny Perry of Carrollton, sons, Fred A. Bennett of Carrollton, Gary B. Bennett of Jackson, MS, 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, sister and brother-in-law, Margaret & J. D. Wester of Carrollton, sister-in-law, Nell Ballard of Carrollton, and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alus Bennett, brothers, Berchard Ballard, Troy Ballard, Joe Ballard, and sister, Opal Kidd. Funeral Service will be Thursday, October 23 at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Almon Funeral Home with Dr. Howard Cobble officiating. Pallbearers will be Alan Todd, Johnny Perry, Jr., Adam Bennett, Matthew Bennett, Freddy A. Bennett III, and Ryan Tompkins. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be sent to Altus Hospice, 151-A Baysprings Road, Villa Rica, GA 30180 or Tabernacle Baptist Church Building Fund, 150 Tabernacle Drive, Carrollton, GA 30117. Interment will be in the Carrollton City Cemetery. Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com. Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.