Funeral services for Lea Rachal Bennett Tate, 38, of Orange will be held Friday, May 27, 2011 at 11:00 a.m in the Claybar Kelley-Watkins Chapel in Beaumont. Interment will follow in the Haven of Rest Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will be held Thursday, May 26, 2011 from 5-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Lea was born October 30, 1972 in Beaumont and passed away May 22, 2011 in Orange. She was a former longtime resident of Beaumont and had worked as a sales representative for several area car dealerships and attended Stephen F. Austin University as the recipient of several scholarships.

She especially loved her family, friends, music and above all her dear son Sterling. Her bright smile and laughter will be greatly missed by all.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Dr. N. T. and Eloise Bennett, and Glenn Rachal. Those left to cherish her memory are her mother, Sharron Bennett Rollins and husband, Ron of Beaumont; father, George Bennett and Elsie of Beaumont; grandmother, Ruby Rachal of Orange; son, Sterling Tate of Orange; brother, John Bennett of Bevil Oaks; aunts, Glenna Baskin, Denise Nichols, Annella Nelson, and Gaar Bennett; uncles, Kenneth Bennett, Joe Bennett, Noel T. Bennett, Jr., and Schultz Bennett; and nephews, cousins and friends.

Serving as pallbearers are Steven Lombardo, T. J. Wormer, Greg Gonzales, Jerry Baskin, Tray Tate, Dalton Bennett, John Bennett and Dean Schlett. Honorary pallbearers are Drew Bennett and Holly Babineaux.