Bennett, Marion D., Sr., 1933-2013

Marion D. Bennett, Sr. was born May 31, 1933 in Greenville, South Carolina to a family of eleven. He graduated from Sterling High School and went on to Morris Brown College. After graduating in 1957, he later matriculated at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia where he received a Master of Divinity in 1960. Reverend Bennett came to Las Vegas, Nevada on July 7, 1960 to be the pastor of the Zion United Methodist Church. Reverend Bennett fought hard to get the Equal Rights Commission established in Nevada. In 1973, he ran for the Nevada State Assembly and won the post for five terms, which totaled ten years of service. Bennett’s focus in the Assembly was quality education and employment along with healthcare and equal rights. Over the years, He expanded the church and added a day care center. His congregation grew from 30 members to 600. Bennett passed away on July 21, 2013.