Lois J. Benson

Lois Ashbrook Ritchie Benson, 94, passed away December 14. She was preceded in death by her parents, George Harper and Minnie Anna Jane Lingo Ashbrook, husband and father of her children Harvey Lee Ritchie, son Dwayne, grandson, Alan Strickland and husband Daniel Benson Lois began her married life and started a family during the Great Depression where resourcefulness in getting by and creating good things to eat was her trademark. Her children never knew that brown gravy with an egg scrambled in it and baked sweet potatoes from the oven as the school bus dropped them off wasn't the finest food. She was a farmer's wife, a minister's wife, a seamstress, a widow after which she married Daniel Benson and gained a second caring family Lois was known at church potluck dinners and family gatherings for her famous chicken 'n dumplings and fried pies. This family tradition has skipped a generation but her grandchildren have recorded her secret and are carrying on. For decades, the descendants of the George Ashbrook family have treasured their annual visits to Aunt Lois's for the good food, visits with cousins from surrounding states along with pickin' and singin' with the McCann Family. She is survived by three daughters, Jan Wright, Little Rock; Marilyn Buzbee (Tom), Baton Rouge; Nancy Rodgers (David), Jacksonville; step children, Nancy Ward (Dennis), Benton; Danny Benson (Deanna), Mountain View; Bill Benson, Baltimore; John Benson (Christy) Mountain Home; 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Family visitation will be Friday 5:30-8 p.m. at the Benton Funeral Home in Hampton. The Memorial Service will be Saturday at Victory Baptist Church at 1 p.m. with Bro. James Ray Raines and Bro. Sam Higgs officiating. Paula Buzbee Schneider, Bill Buzbee, Michael Buzbee, Jim Wright, Glen Wright, Dana Wright Jepsen and Joni Ritchie will be the pallbearers for their beloved grandmother. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Victory Baptist Church, PO Box 1215, Hampton, Ark. 71744 or to your favorite charity. Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.com.