Samuel Tyler Bennett, 19, of Teays Valley, walked into heaven and into the arms of his Papaw Butch on Aug. 31, 2015.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather and namesake, Samuel "Papaw Butch" Halstead.
Tyler is survived by his father, Henry Bennett, and mom, Jenny; mother, Jessica Harrison; grandparents, Jack and Patricia Neeley, and younger brothers "Little Ricky" and Hunter; grandmother, Jennell and husband, Paul Meddings; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides of his family and close friends who will miss him forever.
He was a 2013 graduate of St. Albans High School and attended Teays Valley Church of the Nazarene. He was a member of Carpenters Union Local No. 1207 and employed by Cornerstone Interiors.
Tyler could be found any day sitting on the banks of the river fishing with his friends or riding motorcycles and spending time outdoors with his cousins. Tyler loved life and his family more than anything. The days working side by side with his dad were the best of his life. He loved working with his dad and his work ethic was beyond compare from the time he was a small child. Everyone knew that you could depend on Tyler to be there when they needed him. Adults always commented about how he had such wonderful manners and respect for everyone. Swimming, riding bikes and playing outdoors. He loved to attend Youth Night at Teays Valley Church of the Nazarene with his friends. If you were Tyler's family, you never knew when he might just "drop by" for a visit. Always stepping out with a smile and arms in the air. He surrounded himself every day with those that he loved. He gave love and he was loved ever so dearly. He never walked away without an "I love you."
"It takes a village to raise a child" and a village we are. Tyler spent much of his life on his family's property in Teays Valley with his extended family during his younger years, helping on his little Tonka Truck to load and move dirt during construction. Playing with his cousins and riding circles around Mamaw and Papaw's house on his dirt bike, leaving a path that could be seen from space. He spent days on end with his Papaw Jack working on his 1965 Ford Falcon. Mamaw Pat always nearby to smother him with love. His father's only child, he was the center of his universe, his best friend and his partner in life. His mother's firstborn son, he always watched over her, protected and loved her so much. His mature personality made him an amazing big brother to Little Ricky. Jenny came into Tyler's life as a second mother and immediately fell in love with him as her own; he was grateful to have her in his life. His ambition in life was to fix up his 1972 GMC that had belonged to his great-grandfather and was generously given to him by Mamaw Janelle. Henry and Jenny will continue in that role and see the project through. Tyler's entire extended family was such a huge part of his life. Tyler was everyone's boy. We all love him beyond measure.
The grief we are experiencing is immeasurable. Our lives will never be the same without Tyler. As we move forward into the next few days we don't know how we will go on without him but we will go on. We will learn first to crawl, then we will walk, then we will climb that mountain. When there are days we just feel as though we can go no further, we will carry each other until we reach that peak and will be reunited with Tyler for eternity.
Forever making us proud, Tyler made the choice many years ago to be a registered organ donor. In our suffering we find comfort knowing that he loved life enough to help others when his time with us was over.
Funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at Chapman Funeral Home, Hurricane, with the Rev. Charles V. Williams and the Rev. Bethany Carr officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
You may share sympathies with the family by visiting www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to either the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312, or to The American Quadriplegic Association.
Chapman Funeral Home, family-owned and located at 3941 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane, is honored to serve the Bennett family.