Bennita June Wiley ascended the gates of heaven on September 25, 2022, in Alexandria, Virginia. She was ninety-three years old.

She was born Bennita June Russell to Benjamin Arthur and Wilma Jesse Russell on July 31, 1929, in Lusk, Wyoming. She grew up in Wyoming, graduating Salutatorian of her Wheatland High School Class of 1947. She then went on to receive a degree in elementary education from the University of Northern Colorado.

She then relocated to Southern California where she married Robert Shade Wiley. Their marriage produced a daughter, Robin Gail. The marriage ended in divorce.

Bennita taught elementary school in both Southern California and Colorado, including twenty-three years at Letford Elementary in Johnstown, Colorado.

Following her retirement from teaching, Bennita continued to pursue her interest in child development, serving as governess to the children of former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindahl, among other families.

In addition to her daughter, Bennita is survived by a niece, Laura Spencer, of Rockwall, Texas, and two nephews, Fred Flint of Abinger, Texas, and Bill Flint, of Leesburg, Florida.

Bennita was a modest woman, and asks only that she be remembered by the following verse which will be read at her memorial service:

One hundred years from now

It will not matter

What kind of car I drove

What kind of house I Iived in

How much was in my bank account

Nor what my clothes looked like.

But the world may be a little better

Because I was important

In the life a child.

Graveside services will be held Friday, September 30, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Mt. Comfort Cemetery, 6600 N. Kings Highway, Alexandria, Va 22306, with reception and hospitality to follow at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 100 W. Luray Avenue #2032, Alexandria, VA 22301. Donations in Bennita’s memory may be made to UNICEF.

Offer Condolence for the family of Bennita June Wiley