1930
Mary
2018
Mary Lucille Benson
April 26, 1930 — October 3, 2018
A Devoted Wife. Mary interrupted her undergraduate studies when she fell in love and married Horace Benson. The couple married in 1952, made their home in Kilgore and enjoyed entrepreneurship raising and selling cows. Mary proudly smiled at the title, "Mrs. Horace Benson," and remained devoted to her beloved husband until his demise.
A Loving Mother. Mary did not have children of her own, but she was a loving mother to Horace's daughter, Helen. Following a family history of taking care of each other, Mary's home gave birth to nurturing the couple's grand-daughter, Charolette and great-grandsons, Brandon Duncan-Morgan, Steven Smith, and Kendryon Smith.
A Dedicated Teacher. Because her husband insisted that she complete her undergraduate studies, Mary enrolled at Texas College in Tyler and received a bachelor's degree in education. While at Texas College she was also initiated in the Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service sorority on December 9, 1961. Mary became a dedicated teacher, touching hundreds of lives at Elder Elementary School in Kilgore and in the nearby Laneville Schools.
Mary was a member of Mount Pleasant CME Church. She had briefly served on the Missionary Society and was a Steward, a witness to her professor of faith.Until her illness she was a member of the Kilgore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Mary enjoyed an unpretentious, simple lifestyle, yet rich in the love of family and friends. With her hands she worked the land and gave of herself. With her heart she loved God, her husband, her family and her students. She leaves to mourn her nieces; Patricia Johnson (Robert) of Houston, TX, Deborah Cuffee (Russell) of Arlington, TX, and Jo Ann Brown (Stanley) of Arlington, TX; great-grandsons Brandon Duncan-Morgan, Steven Smith, and Kendryon Smith; and a host of relatives and friends.
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