Juanita Hearn Benton

RICHMOND - Juanita Hearn Benton, of Richmond, KY passed away surrounded by family on Sat, June 5, 2010. She was preceded in death by the love of her life Mike A. Benton, Jr. her husband of 60 years and her parents Fred C. and Hulda Hearn of Lexington, KY. Juanita is survived by her son, Larry Wayne (Melody) Benton, Lexington; two daughters, Lynnell (Tom) Benton Webb and Lydia (James) Glo Eaves, both of Richmond; grandchildren, Larry Wayne (Michaelle) Benton Jr, Triangle, VA, Melissa (Don) Berry, Niceville, FL, and Matthew Webb, Richmond; six great grandchildren, Rebekah (Brad) Ellis, Rachel Berry, Raela Berry, all of Niceville, Cristian Benton, Marissa Benton, and Samuel Benton, Triangle, VA; one great great grandson, Rafe Ellis, Niceville; two sisters, Doris York, Princeton, KY and Mary Sue Broaddus, Lexington; a brother Fred C. (Pat) Hearn, Owenton, KY; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by dear life long friends, Evelyn Smith, Lexington, and Dewey and Ethel Mullins, Berea. Juanita was born in Lexington, KY, on June 12, 1929. She was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother. She committed her life to Christ when she was eight years old and lived a life of Christian service, treating everyone she met lovingly. She was a long-time member of Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, Lexington until 1972, when the family relocated to Richmond and moved their church membership to Waco Baptist Church where she remained a member until her death. In addition to being a homemaker, she worked at the Eastern KY University bookstore for a number of years, retiring in 1997 to spend time with her newborn grandson. She was both an EKU and UK fan and really enjoyed watching college and NFL football. She had a tremendous passion for the outdoors, and spent some of the happiest moments of her life on horseback participating in field trials, fishing, camping, bird watching, gardening, and hiking among the wildflowers. Juanita also loved traveling and she loved music. In the 1970's she was a member of the Lexington Singers and traveled with this group to Romania. After moving to Richmond, she sang in the Richmond Choral Society and the Waco Baptist Church Choir. Although she lived simply she also lived life fully. She was a wonderful person, and will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all who knew her. Funeral services will be 12pm Tue, June 8 at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 463 East Main St, Lexington, KY. She will be laid to rest in the Lexington Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8pm Mon, June 7 at the funeral home. Contributions can be made to Waco Baptist Church, 3646 New Irvine Road, Waco, KY 40385, or to Hospice Care Plus, 208 Kidd Dr, Berea, KY 40403.