Inez Searles

Mrs. Inez Bennett Searles, a devout Christian, a devoted wife, a loving mother, a dedicated caregiver was born on January 2, 1952 in Lincolnton, Georgia, to the late Nathaniel Bennett, Sr. and Fannie Lou Hawes Bennett; she was the eighth born to this union. Inez went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 24, 2024, after having lived a long, fruitful 72 years.

On September 1, 1970, she was boldly asked for her hand in marriage by a gentleman, Douglas Searles, who became the love of her life. They celebrated their union in New Jersey with family and friends. To their union, they borned a family that she loved and was truly her greatest accomplishment, two beautiful children, Martin Antonio Searles and Loukira Denise Hamilton. She was always very proud of her children and adored all of her family.  She was everyone’s biggest cheerleader.

Growing up as a child of God, Inez joined Harmony Baptist Church in Lincolnton, GA at an early age. She was a servant, usher, and participated in the food ministry, and ensured that her famous dressing was devoured. Inez also attended Mulberry CME Church in Lincolnton, GA. She enjoyed gospel music and the Parade of Quartets, but was mainly proud of the M.A. Searles Male Chorus, named after her beloved deceased son. Daily, she would praise, worship, and glorify our Father.

Inez worked as a seamstress for many years; however, her life-long commitment was being a nurturing caregiver and homemaker to her ENTIRE family. Her tender love and care was the comfort of her family. Inez’s motherly care to her god-children granted her the name “Mama Nez” which spread amongst everyone in the family and community. Mama Nez is affectionately known for her smiling face, interesting conversations, sense of humor, personal caregiver services, and the switch that she disciplined ANYONE’S child with.

Inez took pride in nurturing family and friends through her tender, silk hands and sweet–yet firm, voice. She was a mother figure to everyone before even becoming a mother. She would allow her family to stay days, weeks, and months at her home while creating lasting memories. Inez genuinely handcrafted and molded each child. 

Mama Nez forever blessed her home with her southern-cooked meals and back porch grilling. She is well known for her famous dressing. Her dressing dish is top-tier and could easily win any contest without effort. Filled with love and grace, she consistently provided for all. It was always the smallest things that were done by Inez that made an ever-lasting impact on all.

Inez’s most favorite things to do was being ‘Mama Nez’ to her family, cooking, baking cakes for birthdays, making quilts, hosting family functions, grilling, picking greens, sipping coffee, and watching her favorite TV shows, The View, One Life to Live, All My Children, GunSmoke, Rambo, all Western shows, Chicago Fire and Chicago PD, Sistas, and The Oval. One of her most treasured moments was FaceTiming with Sharon (Faye) Gonzalez while watching their favorite shows by Tyler Perry, The Oval and Sistas. Inez took great pride in getting manicures, pedicures, and making trips to the beauty salon.

Inez was selfless, she always thought of others before herself. She should have obtained a medical license being that she delivered a baby on Little River bridge, made countless trips to labor and delivery for many people, cared for terminally ill family members, she wasn’t afraid of any wounds that needed bandaging, and pulling children's first tooth.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Nathaniel (Fannie Lou Hawes) Bennett; her son, Martin A. Searles; and her siblings, Gene Bennett and Katherine Bennett.

Inez leaves with us those who hold her dear in their hearts; her husband of 53 years, Douglas Searles; her daughter, Loukira D. (Dylan) Hamilton of Evans, GA;  a niece raised in the home, LaShaunder Elam-Lee of Washington, GA; a nephew raised in the home, Maverick (Mandy) Bennett of Augusta, GA; grandchildren, Temarcus “Flubba” Elam, Cameron “Yella Fella” Hamilton, London “Curly Fry” Hamilton, and Skye “Grandma Suga” Hamilton; four god-children,  DeBriah “Brinope” Lee, Divesia “Beeze” (Caron) Patterson, Datlyn “Rachel Mae” Lee and Divenski “DJ” Lee, Jr. all of Washington, GA; two god-grandchildren, Brayden and Briley Marshall of Washington, GA; four sisters, Daisy Jones, Chessie (Jenkins) Leverett both of Lincolnton, GA, Mary Stokes of Augusta, GA and Martha (Robert ) Leverett of McCormick, SC;  two brothers, Nathan (Marie) Bennett, Jr. and George Allen (Louise) Bennett both of Augusta, GA; four sisters-in-law, Joann (Sherman) Norman of Augusta, GA, Glenda (Jesse) Elam, Laverne  Smith both of Lincolnton, GA, and Jacqueline Searles of Wilson, North Carolina; three brothers-in-law, Leonard (Loutricia) Searles, Jr. of Lincolnton, GA, Roy (Heather) Searles of Augusta, GA, and Joe Harden of Washington, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.