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Submitted: 2/7/10 • Approved: 9/21/22 • Last Updated: 9/23/22 • R287491-G287491-S3
Leonard M Benson
April 7, 1927 - February 19, 2007
Leonard M. Benson, Jr., 79 of Jacksonville, Arkansas passed away Monday, February 19, 2007 at Woodland Hills Nursing Home in Jacksonville. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the Navy, Army Air Corp and finally retired as a SMSGT from the U.S. Air Force. He was of the Methodist faith and was a thirty-five year member of St. Judes Catholic Church in Jacksonville. Born April 7, 1927 in Serapta, Louisiana, he was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Sr. and Althea Benson. Also preceding him were three sisters, Vera Benson, Velma Smith, and Verdi Henson and a brother, James.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Antoinette Benson, four daughters; Carol Staggs of Jacksonville, Linda Brown (Butch) of Furlow, Barbara Thompson of Redmond, WA, Gloria Johnson (Jerry) of Jacksonville, one son, Michael (Debra) of Camden. Also surviving him are fifteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two sisters; Pauline LeRoux of Virginia and Stella Duplechan of Louisiana. He leaves behind several nieces and nephews and numerous friends.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday at Moore's Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville with Father Les Farley officiating. Interment to follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Jacksonville. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home.
Antoinette
Aug 15, 1926 - Jan 5, 2015
Antoinette “Marie” Benson, age 91, of Jacksonville passed away on Friday, January 5, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was born on August 15, 1926 in New Haven, Connecticut; the only child of the late Michael and Adeline Maraucci DiGioia.
On November 8, 1948 at age 22, Marie enlisted in the United State Air Force as a clerk typist. It was while she served in the military that she met her husband, Leonard M Benson Jr. (Ben), her typing instructor. After a brief courtship, they married on July 2, 1949 and celebrated 57 wonderful years of marriage. Private First Class Benson received an Honorable Discharge from the Air Force at Offutt AFB, Omaha, Nebraska on November 9, 1949 to start a family.
Marie was an avid bargain shopper at garage sales each weekend. She enjoyed reading mystery novels, playing games, and entertaining family and friends. Marie especially loved music and dancing, she could not sit still if a band was playing or a lively song was on the radio. She especially enjoyed watching “Elvis” perform at the nursing center.
Marie is preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years, Leonard M. Benson Jr. (Ben) and son-in-law Nelson Brown Jr. (Butch). Survivors include one son Michael Benson and his wife Debra, four daughters, Carol Staggs, Linda Brown, Barbara Thompson and Gloria Johnson and her husband Jerry: 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Marie was a member of St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Jacksonville since 1972. A Rosary will be made at 5:30 p.m. followed by visitation from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00, Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at Jacksonville Moore’s Funeral Home, 1504 N JP Wright Loop Rd, Jacksonville, AR 72076. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home with Bro. Timothy Carter officiating. Interment will follow at Chapel Oaks Mausoleum.
Arrangements by Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home (501) 982-2136. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Jacksonville Senior Wellness and Activity Center, 100 Victory Circle, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076.
The Benson Family would like to extend their gratitude to all the staff at Spring Creek Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cabot and also to Kindred Hospice for their attentiveness and loving care.
Contributed on 2/7/10 by eagle12953
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Record #: 287491