Bennie Faye Hearn

Bennie Faye Hearn at the young age of 94 years went to a family reunion in heaven on September 21, 2022.  Born in Laurel, Mississippi, she was the oldest of Joseph Benjamin Pylate and Effie Willie Martin’s three children.

Bennie Faye, a lovely and vivacious young woman, caught U. Leon Hearn’s eye when he returned to Laurel after serving in the submarine service and completing college.  They married June 25, 1947, and immediately moved to Schenectady, New York. Bennie’s brother, James Herman Pylate, only left Mississippi two times in his life.  The first time he hitched hiked to New York to visit Bennie and Leon.  The second time was after he joined the Army and was sent to Korea.  James Herman died in Korea at the Chosin Reservoir.

Bennie and Leon moved all over the United States curtesy of Leon’s employment as a sales engineer with General Electric.  At each new homestead, Bennie and Leon collected good friends to whom they remained close. After twenty-eight moves, and six states, Bennie and her family’s final move was to North Little Rock, Arkansas in 1976.

Throughout her marriage, Bennie Faye and Leon raised three boys in a home filled with love and laughter.  She used her talents to create beautiful paintings and refurnishing furniture and a lifelong love of genealogy.   Bennie Faye believed in making each house a home and every house they lived in was a home.  Bennie and Leon were happy for forty- seven years until Leon passed away on June 12, 1994. 

Bennie Faye was active in her community by supporting the arts, attending church, participating in activities at Shepherd Center, and helping when she could.

Bennie Faye is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, U. Leon Hearn, her oldest son, Gary Stephen Hearn, her middle son, Brian Todd Hearn, five step siblings, and many loved nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.

Bennie Faye is survived by her sister, Evelyn Elaine Pylate Redd, her son, Dale Scott Hearn and his wife Kelly, daughter in law Lisa Hearn, grandchildren Todd Jarret Hearn and wife-Danielle, Thomas Treece and wife-Richelle, Dakota Treece and wife-Candi, Christopher Scott Hearn, Tabitha Grace Hearn, nine great grandchildren, and many loved nieces and nephews.

Donations in memory of Bennie Faye made be made to CARTI, First United Methodist Church and Amby United Methodist Church.

Services for Bennie Faye will be held at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little rock, Arkansas.  Visitation will be on Monday, September 26, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Service will be on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.  The interment will follow at Rest Hills Cemetery.

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114, 501-758-1170.--