Mary Lou Reese Benford

Mary Lou Reese Benford Mary Lou Reese Benford, oldest of fourteen children of Viola and Isom Reese, Sr., was born July 25, 1910. She attended the Sayersville School and completed the eleventh grade-- the highest grade attainable at that time. She later completed several vocational programs in the nursing field. She was employed with the University of Texas Student Health Center, where she retired after 25 years. She was married to Andrew Gates Benford for 65 years. To this union five children were born. She received Christ at an early age and was an active member of Mt Sinai Missionary Baptist Church till her health declined. She received several awards for her work in the church and community throughout the years. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her youngest son Artiste E. Benford and her siblings: brothers-- Woody, Sam, Rueben James, Earlie, Isom, Jr. and sister-- Dovie Reese Washington, Narcisus Reese Kanada, and Ida Mae Reese Dove. She is survived by her loving children: Geraldine Benford Wright, John William Benford, Mary Evelyn Benford Gage, and Dorothy Jean Benford Heard; and grandchildren: Brian C. Wright, Phillip A. Wright, Wilbert G. Wright, John T. Wright, Jennifer Benford Seibert, Jeffrey Benford, Thomas C. Gage, Ava R. Gage Arthur, Carol Gage Moses, Chester L. Gage (deceased), Carla J. Benford Jones, David Heard, Eric Heard, Cedric Benford, Vickey E. Benford, and Letitia Gail Benford Williams. There are 37 great- grandchildren, 28 great-great grandchildren, and a host of family and friends who literally have hundreds of delightful stories in their hearts and mind. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010, 1:00 p.m., at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas. To share memories of Mary Lou Benford with the family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.