Stephen Richard Bennett, 72, of Mechanicsville, MD passed away peacefully early in the morning of January 9, 2026, at the Hospice House of St. Mary's with his wife and son beside him. He lived life courageously for years through diagnoses of Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease, Posterior Cortical Atrophy and cancer. Stephen volunteered as a long-term research participant at the University of Pennsylvania Neurology Department hoping to find cures for the neurodegenerative illnesses he was diagnosed with. He continued to strive to enjoy life and the activities he loved until the very end.

Stephen was born October 20, 1953, in Leonardtown, MD. He grew up on a farm picking strawberries, planting sweet potatoes, harvesting tobacco, and working at Bennett's Sunoco station. Stephen was a 1971 graduate of Chopticon High School and graduated from the University of Maryland in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in history. Stephen taught school in Charles County for a year. In 1976, Stephen enlisted in the United States Army where he served three years in the infantry and seventeen years as a Military Intelligence Analyst. His service took him around the world, including postings in Germany twice, Korea and a deployment to the Sinai Peninsula with the Multinational Force & Observers. He retired from the Army in 1996 and returned to the county. He opted to work in St. Mary's County to be close to and care for his mother. He worked for nineteen years at LOWES in California, MD retiring in 2018. He met his wife of 25 years on New Years 1998, and they were married in 2000. He subsequently adopted her son.

Stephen was an avid sports fan. A life-long Boston Red's Sox fan born out of listening to games on a Boston AM radio station in his father's truck on the farm. He enjoyed all University of Maryland sports and was a loyal fan of the Washington Redskins/Commanders. He enjoyed traveling, visiting historical and military sites, Spring Training in Florida, and hanging out with family and friends. He never met an Irish Pub he did not like and frequented every military exchange he encountered on his travels.

Stephen is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Washington and Delma Milburn Bennett and his brother Thomas Oliver Bennett. Stephen is survived by his wife, Donna Bowers Bennett of Mechanicsville; son and daughter-in-law Justin and Jennifer Bowers and grandson Liam Bowers of Florence, AZ; his siblings Louise Bennett of Towson, MD, Robert Bennett of Leonardtown, and Ruth Bertrand of Katy, TX. In addition, Stephen is survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear lifelong friends. Stephen is also survived by his loyal and loving dog, Leyna.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 22, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM in St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Leonardtown, MD with Rev. Z. Mark Smith officiating. Interment will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest a donation in Stephen's memory to one of the following organizations:

The Alzheimer's Association
https://donorservices.alz.org/login?form=FUNXAHXKQNE
The Hospice House of St. Mary's
https://giving.medstarhealth.org/medstarhealth/get-involved/donate/hospice

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
https://standrewsleonardtown.org/donate-or-contact