BENNIE JEAN TENNEY HARVEY

Tucson, Arizona - Bennie Jean Tenney Harvey entered eternal rest Tuesday, April 30.

 Family and friends will gather from 5 to 7 Friday, May 10, in the Great Room at Harper & Lucas, formerly Robertson Mueller Harper.   A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held at 11 am Saturday, May 11, at Arlington Heights United Methodist Church, 4200 Camp Bowie Blvd.  She will be laid to rest privately in Greenwood Memorial Park.

Bennie, 92, was born the youngest of four children to Bennet Ray and Bertha Ina Tenney in Throckmorton, Texas.  She was a proud Texan, and except for a very short period after high school, she spent all but the last three years of her life in the Lone Star State. She was a 1949 Tech High School graduate and was active on the cheerleading squad. Shortly after high school, she married Robert L. McKee, and they had two sons, Bishop Mike McKee and Patrick L. McKee.

She spent most of her career working at Bell Helicopter where she met Keith Harvey. They married July 31, 1965.  In 1986, she proudly graduated from Texas Wesleyan College with a degree in business administration.

Bennie had an outgoing personality, with a smile and voice that could light up a room. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and very active in the churches where she was a member. She spent over five decades singing in the church choir and sang “Oh Holy Night” as a soloist on Christmas Eve for many years. She served on various church committees. She and her husband, Keith, served as youth group sponsors and were part of a ministry to sponsor families from Vietnam moving to the U.S. They remained close to the Pham family throughout their lives.

An avid reader, Bennie loved to travel, play bridge, and, after retirement, loved crafting with her sister Mary. They often sold their pieces at various craft shows.

Bennie had many titles, but Mimi was by far her favorite. This is what her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren called her. She often traveled to watch a sporting event or meet one of the many new additions entering the family tree. She made the holidays special and especially loved decorating for Christmas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and siblings, Harry, Mary and Margie. 

In addition to her sons, Bennie is survived by her daughters-in-law, Joan McKee and Barbara McKee; grandchildren, Erin Chidsey, Ben McKee, Meredith McKee, and Jessica Hardaway; grandsons-in-law, Darin Chidsey and Mark Hardaway; great-grandchildren, Aaliyah, Adriana, Knox, Ford, Micah, Jordan; and great-great-grandchildren, Alex, Josiah, Lisela, Liam, Leilani, Leslie, Belleza.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Bennie’s name to Arborlawn United Methodist Church or Arlington Heights United Methodist Church.