Funeral services for Lyda Jean Hughes Bennett, 69, of Lexington Road, Crawfordville, were held Saturday, July 22, 2006, at Sardis Baptist Church in Lake Park, with Lovin Funeral Home in charge. She died Wednesday, July 19, at the University Hospital, Augusta.

Mrs. Bennett was born in Lowndes County, Georgia, and had lived in Crawfordville for about 25 years. She was the founder of "Christmas In Dixie," a popular event in Taliaferro County during the Christmas season from 1982 until 1997. She was a homemaker and a member of the Sardis Baptist Church in Lake Park.

Survivors include her husband, Earl W. Bennett of Crawfordville; four sons, Steve Bennett, Joe Bennett, Greg Bennett and his wife Shirley, and Ken Bennett and his wife Hope; two daughters, Emily Rutherford and her husband June, and Judy Gentry and husband David Skinner; four brothers, George Hughes, John W. Hughes, Bennie Ellington, and Bill Ellington; two sisters, Mary Ruth Weaver, and Leona Stanley; 18 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Hopkins Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of local arrangements.