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Postmaster Remembered

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By LIZ BLEAU, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 6, 2007

BALM - This rural community's postmaster for the past 15 years, Guy Bennett, 52, died Sept. 22. A large poster in the tiny post office was signed with well-wishes from the people he served and saw daily.

Marcella O'Steen, president of Balm Civic Association, said Bennett loved his job.

'He would often say he had the best job in the world,' she said. 'He loved going there every day.'

Elizabeth Sweat, 88, a former Balm postmaster, collected donations to buy flowers for Bennett's funeral.

'I was close to him; he was a really nice person,' she said.

Only four people have served as Balm postmaster during the post office's 100 years of operation. Harley D. Sweat held the post from 1907 to 1948 and was succeeded by his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, who remained postmaster until 1980. She was followed by Geneva McLeod.

Bennett replaced McLeod in 1993.

The Valrico resident was instrumental in organizing the Balm Post Office's 100-year-anniversary celebration August 9.

He is survived by his mother, Glenna S. Bennett; sister, Elizabeth Stewart (Robby), and son, Christian; brother, Charles Bennett (Lori), and son, Jacob; nephews, Tommy and Daniel Bennett; niece, Katie Bennett; aunt and uncle, Betty and Chuck Fallis, and their children, Steve, Jane, Beth and Susan, of Salem, Va.; and aunt, Peggy Landress, and son, John of Fort Myers.

Reporter John Ceballos contributed to this story. Reporter Liz Bleau can be reached at (813) 865-1557 or lbleau@tampatrib .com.

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