Hugh Bennett Hennessee

Hugh Bennett Hennessee, age 95, of Ocean Isle Beach, NC formerly of Indian Trail, NC passed away on Friday, May 17, 2024 with his beloved family by his side.

Hugh was born in Rutherford County, NC on January 7, 1929, son of the late Will Hennessee and Nell Hunt Hennessee. In addition to his parents, Hugh was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Geraldine “Gerry” Hennessee; great grandchild, Rylee Hinkle; son-in-law, George Drakulic; and his siblings, Dewey Hennessee and his wife Susie, Margaret Vincent and her husband Robert “Bob”, Beatrice “Bea” McFarland and her husband Guy.

Growing up in the community of Sunshine in Rutherford County, Hugh graduated from Sunshine High School in 1945 at the age of 16.  After graduation he moved to Washington D.C. and began working for the FBI where he met co-worker, Gerry Kearney, a young woman from Omaha, NE.  Hugh and Gerry were married on September 4, 1948 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Washington.  After leaving Washington, the couple lived a short time in Omaha, NE and Rutherford County, NC before settling in Charlotte where they raised their family.  Hugh worked the sales counter at Westinghouse before becoming a sales representative for the Jim Burton Agency, an electrical manufacturers’ representative, in 1966.  Hugh was with the Jim Burton Agency until he retired at the age of 70.  A property owner in Brunswick County, NC since 1986, Hugh permanently relocated to Arbor Landing in Ocean Isle Beach after Gerry’s death on February 5, 2017.  Hugh enjoyed puzzles, word games, watching football and basketball games, time with his family, and country music. 

Surviving are his children, Karen Drakulic of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, Michael Hennessee of Ocean Isle Beach, Lorie Burns and husband Doug of Sunset Beach, NC; grandchildren, Jonathan Hinkle (Wendy), Spencer Burns (Megan), Griffin Burns (Brittney Kuntz); and great-grandchildren, Savannah Hinkle, Kaiden Hinkle, Kiera Ogea, Lily Burns and Rory Burns.

Hugh will be laid to rest in a graveside service at 1:00 PM, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, in Sunset Memory Gardens, 8901 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill, NC.

The family respectfully requests that donations be made in his name to the Lower Cape Fear Life Care Foundation at 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or www.lifecare.org.

Online condolences are encouraged and may be sent to the family at www.fulwoodfuneralservice.com