Angela M. Bennett Esq.

Angela Marie Bennett was born on October 11, 1952 to the union of parents Lawrence D. Bennett and Doris M. Taylor Bennett. Both of her parents proceeded her in death. Through their examples she learned the importance of family and being civically and politically involved.

As a child, her parents enrolled her in the Joseph Stephenson's School of Dance and Girl Scouts. Both had a tremendous impact on her life. Under Mr. Stephenson, she learned Afro-Cuban, ballet, tap and ballroom forms of dance. This led to her attending classes at the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) Conservatory Dance department where she practiced ballet. Following a knee injury, she converted to Modern Dance. Both she and her sister, Renee, performed as the "Bennett Sisters" for many events. In later years, she performed as a soloist. Angela was proud Girl Scout, having participated from second grade through her high school graduation.

Angela graduated from Southeast High School in 1970. There, she was extremely active in high school organizations and considered her time at Southeast a “great, growth-filled” time in her young life. She later attended UMKC, earning a B.A. in Political Science, a B.A. in Radio-TV-Film and a Juris Doctorate in Law. While at UMKC, Angela was also active in student organizations – the favorite among them the “Black Exodus” dance troupe for which she ultimately served as Director and Choreographer.

Professionally, Angela was an attorney for the Missouri office of the Attorney General, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the law firm Lathrop & Gage where she was the first Black attorney hired. Her final career position was that of Regional Director, Region VII, of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.

At Centennial, Angela was a Certified Lay Speaker, Chair of the Administrative Council, member of the Chancel Choir and other committees. Her civic involvement included the boards of the Girl Scouts, Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, Truman Medical Center, Starlight Theater, Chair of the UMKC Alumni Association and Women's Council, as well as President of the University of Missouri System Board of Curators. Within the legal community, she was a member of the Missouri Bar Board of Governors, a delegate to the American Bar Association (ABA) and Chair of the ABA's Professionalism Committee.

Her greatest joys in life were the births and lives of son Jon Bennett Gray and grandson Elliott Gray. They, like her parents, were the lights of her being.

She leaves to cherish her memory son Jon, grandson Elliott, Sister Renee, cousins Pamela Johnson, Veretha Talley, Robin Dantzler, Oneita Taylor and a host of other cousins, family and friends.