Terrell, Bennie Lee Pettitt
Bernice "Bennie" Lee Pettitt Terrell (1891-1918) became the first student to die while enrolled. This was during the influenza epidemic of 1918. Terrell was married and 27 years old when she enrolled for the 2nd term of BTS in November 1918. Her father, William Pledge Pettitt, had been a Corporal with the 8th Indiana Cavalry of the Union Army during the Civil War. She had been a member of the Church of God for more than five years and was licensed as a minister in May 1917. She began her ministry by assisting others in evangelistic services, particularly by playing the organ and preaching.
By May 1918 she was holding her own meetings and wrote, “I am glad I can report great victory through Jesus. Bless His dear name! I have just returned from Sewanee, Ga. Where I preached a week. The full gospel had never been preached there. The people seemed very much interested; several gave their hands for prayer and begged me to come back and tell them more. Oh, there are so many people hungry for the Word! They are looking for something to help them in these last days. Who will go and help them by telling them of the power on Jesus’ blood, of how He can satisfy the hungry heart? Please pray for me.”
Bennie came to the Bible Training School from Cartersville, Georgia, where she lived with her husband, Marcus Oscar Terrell. He remained there with his work and Bennie stayed in the home of A. J. and Mary Jane Tomlinson with other students.
1918 was the year of the influenza pandemic. 25% of the U.S. population was afflicted because of it, and 50 million people died worldwide. Bennie was one of its victims.
On the morning of December 19, 1918, she began to feel ill. It grew worse during class time that morning. By 9:30 she had to leave the school room and as she passed through the publishing house office downstairs she said she might be getting influenza, but she knew the Lord could heal her if it was His will, but if not she was ready to go.
She went to her room at the Tomlinson home across the street and she never left. When word of her illness reached her husband in Georgia, he rushed to her side and attended to her.
A. J. Tomlinson reflected, “She gradually grew worse although prayers were offered up for her almost constantly day and night, and she was often quickened by the Spirit. The last came a few minutes before nine o’clock Monday evening Dec. 23…. She has been doing effective service as a minister of the gospel. Those who knew her loved her. She was attending the Bible school to acquire more Bible knowledge so she might be better equipped and qualified for the Master’s service. We feel a great disappointment in the loss of our sister because we saw in her great possibilities.”
The funeral was conducted near her mother’s home at Ridgedale, Tenn. by J. L. Scott on Christmas Day 1918.
A.J. Tomlinson wrote, “During the time the Influenza epidemic has been raging our home has been a veritable hospital excepting the use of medicine, having cared for twelve or more cases. Mrs. Tomlinson has been wonderfully preserved and sustained by the grace of God so she has never taken it, unless [sic] one evening when she felt very badly, but the saints gathered around her and prayed and she was instantly delivered. Out of the twelve or more cases only one had to be taken away in a casket. At the time of the death of Sister Terrell, there were two more severe cases, Blanch Koon and Mary Howell, in other rooms, waited upon by their relatives and friends. The Lord has had mercy upon us and shown us many unmerited favors in the midst of it all.”
Following the funeral service at Ridgedale, Tennessee, Bennie's body was taken to Cartersville, Georgia, and interred at the Oak Hill Cemetery. The Reverend Gordon Ezzell, pastor of the East Side Baptist Church, was in charge of the graveside service.
/ L.F. Morgan
By May 1918 she was holding her own meetings and wrote, “I am glad I can report great victory through Jesus. Bless His dear name! I have just returned from Sewanee, Ga. Where I preached a week. The full gospel had never been preached there. The people seemed very much interested; several gave their hands for prayer and begged me to come back and tell them more. Oh, there are so many people hungry for the Word! They are looking for something to help them in these last days. Who will go and help them by telling them of the power on Jesus’ blood, of how He can satisfy the hungry heart? Please pray for me.”
Bennie came to the Bible Training School from Cartersville, Georgia, where she lived with her husband, Marcus Oscar Terrell. He remained there with his work and Bennie stayed in the home of A. J. and Mary Jane Tomlinson with other students.
1918 was the year of the influenza pandemic. 25% of the U.S. population was afflicted because of it, and 50 million people died worldwide. Bennie was one of its victims.
On the morning of December 19, 1918, she began to feel ill. It grew worse during class time that morning. By 9:30 she had to leave the school room and as she passed through the publishing house office downstairs she said she might be getting influenza, but she knew the Lord could heal her if it was His will, but if not she was ready to go.
She went to her room at the Tomlinson home across the street and she never left. When word of her illness reached her husband in Georgia, he rushed to her side and attended to her.
A. J. Tomlinson reflected, “She gradually grew worse although prayers were offered up for her almost constantly day and night, and she was often quickened by the Spirit. The last came a few minutes before nine o’clock Monday evening Dec. 23…. She has been doing effective service as a minister of the gospel. Those who knew her loved her. She was attending the Bible school to acquire more Bible knowledge so she might be better equipped and qualified for the Master’s service. We feel a great disappointment in the loss of our sister because we saw in her great possibilities.”
The funeral was conducted near her mother’s home at Ridgedale, Tenn. by J. L. Scott on Christmas Day 1918.
A.J. Tomlinson wrote, “During the time the Influenza epidemic has been raging our home has been a veritable hospital excepting the use of medicine, having cared for twelve or more cases. Mrs. Tomlinson has been wonderfully preserved and sustained by the grace of God so she has never taken it, unless [sic] one evening when she felt very badly, but the saints gathered around her and prayed and she was instantly delivered. Out of the twelve or more cases only one had to be taken away in a casket. At the time of the death of Sister Terrell, there were two more severe cases, Blanch Koon and Mary Howell, in other rooms, waited upon by their relatives and friends. The Lord has had mercy upon us and shown us many unmerited favors in the midst of it all.”
Following the funeral service at Ridgedale, Tennessee, Bennie's body was taken to Cartersville, Georgia, and interred at the Oak Hill Cemetery. The Reverend Gordon Ezzell, pastor of the East Side Baptist Church, was in charge of the graveside service.
/ L.F. Morgan