John Wesley "JJ" Bennett, Jr.

John Wesley Bennett Jr, affectionately known as ‘Jay Jay,’ was born on December 21, 1988, to Mildred Sherrill and John Bennett Sr. John and was also known as Chef Wes Roots. He was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the youngest of seven children. Surrounded by love and support from his siblings, John shared a bond with his family and his bonus father, Pops Gregory Smith.

John’s educational journey began at Losantiville Elementary and continued at the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), where he developed a keen interest in construction. This passion led him to participate in building sets during his time at SCPA. He also attended the Young Marines of Cincinnati, where he graduated with honors. During his senior year at Shroder High School, he excelled in wrestling, baseball, and football, ultimately pursuing semi-professional football with the Hawks.

After high school, John attended college in Grand Rapids, Michigan, before returning home to pursue his passion for cooking. He enrolled in Cincinnati Cooks where he earned three culinary certifications. In 2024, John proudly completed his Executive Chef certification. He served as a private chef throughout the Cincinnati region and sponsored pop-up kitchens where his talents were in high demand. John had a passion for creating Caribbean cuisines with a soulful twist and making his own menus, including a notable menu for Muse in Mt. Lookout. He was one of many chefs chosen to participate in the Taste of NFL 2017 in Cincinnati. John worked as a chef at the Beta Theta Phi house on the campus of the University of Cincinnati.

Raised in the House of God, John was a junior male usher and looked forward to playing Pharoah in the Passover plays. At 15, John made a wooden staff in wood shop for the Passover play that is still being used today at Lockland. His spiritual journey began at the House of God on Reading Road under the leadership of the late Bishop R.A. Campbell, who, along with Deacon Clifton Knox played a significant role in shaping John’s life. Later, John attended church in Lockland, Ohio under the leadership of the late Bishop Fred C. Scott. He cherished the moments spent swimming with Bishop Scott during church vacations.

John was known for his vibrant personality and his ability to connect with anyone he met. A lover of all music from jazz to country, he enjoyed playing the keyboard, collecting swords and traveling. A gifted artist and poet, John contributed to illustrating some of his mother’s children’s books and even landed a role as an extra in a movie directed by 50 Cent.

John will dearly be missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his father John Bennett Sr.

John leaves to cherish his memory a loving family that includes his mother, Mildred; bonus father Gregory; siblings, Deaca R. Weems, Duane B. Weems Jr., DaShawn S. Weems (Jacqueline), Dulawn M. Weems (Shenise), Johnneice M. Bennett, Karmen T. Bennet, and Christina Bennett; special brother, Olajuwon Weems; aunts Iva Edwards and Anna Cole; uncles, Deacon Roy Sherrill, Bishop Larry Sherrill Sr., and Anthony Sherrill; nieces and nephews, Dominic, Duane III, Jayy, Kyana, Joshua, Alasijia, Ehtan, Samuel, Gabriella, and Micah Jr.; great nieces, Kyleigh, Nala, Jayla and Kori; brother-cousins, Larry Sherrill Jr., Larry Sherrill, and Michael Sherrill; godmother Leona Knox; godfather, David Brand Sr., and a host of godbrothers, godsisters, cousins, church family, and friends.

John’s legacy of love, kindness, and culinary artistry will forever be remembered.

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