Mary Ben

It is with great sadness that we announcement passing of our beloved mother, Mary Jane Ben, affectionately known as "Jean". She departed this life on December 22, 2025. Her funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Kinchen Funeral Home in Lafayette, LA. Visitation will take place beginning at 8AM and the funeral service will start at 10AM. Her final resting place will be Cavalry.

Born on December 10, 1942, to Victoria and Elton Leday in Lafayette, LA. She was raised in Grand Prairie, LA and attended school in Plaisance, LA. In 1958, Mary married Leroy Ben, and they moved to Lafayette, LA, where they built their family home and raised six daughters. Although their marriage later ended, they remained close friends, regularly checking on one another's well-being until the end. Later in life, Mary married Lionel Mitchell, with whom she enjoyed companionship and special moments during her senior years.

Mary was the backbone of her family, opening her home and heart to siblings and extended family members, providing not only shelter but a foundation from which they could begin their lives. Her home was a place of gathering, love, and support until her untimely illness. She was a faithful member of Greater Faith Ministries and cherished worshipping there alongside her family. In her younger years, Mary worked as a delivery driver for Pony Express and then a commissioned security officer. She later became an entrepreneur, owning and operating Geno's in both Plaisance and Lafayette, LA. Mary was an incredible cook who loved preparing meals that brought family together. Her gumbo, red beans, cornbread dressing, baked roast, and homemade boudin were famously "finger-licking good." When she wasn't cooking, Mary enjoyed casino outings and had a deep love for all things Cajun and Creole, including zydeco music.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory her daughters: Wilda "Tody" Boutte (Arthur), Jessie "Ruthie" Sterling, and Delsa "Ree" Arceneaux, all of Lafayette, Louisiana; Dora Davis (Troy) and Phebie Taylor (Sheldon), both of Houston, Texas. She also leaves her sisters: Betty Freeman and Viesta Zachary of Houston, Texas; Ella Freeman, Elizabeth Williams (Wilton), Earline Dunn, Lou Bertha August (Billy), Denetra Chaisson (Dylan), all of Lafayette, Louisiana; Shirley Wilson of Ville Platte, Louisiana; and Dr. Lena Joseph of Atlanta, Georgia. Her brothers include Elton Leday Jr., Milton Leday, Arthur Leday, and Israel Leday (Zenobia), all of Lafayette, Louisiana; Nelson Leday (Theresa) of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana; and Cornelius Smith and Frank Smith (Sandra) of Houston, Texas. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews,
grandchildren, extended family members, and friends who loved her dearly.

Mary was preceded in death by her mother, Victoria Stevens Freeman; her father, Elton Leday; her first husband, Leroy Ben; her second husband, Lionel Mitchell; her daughter, Julia Ben; her sisters, Alberda Campbell, Margeret Freeman, Carrie Antoine, and Linda Freeman; her brothers, Wilton Freeman, Elrich Freeman, Oakley Freeman Jr., Bobby Freeman, and Charles Ray Joubert; and several grandchildren.

To have known Mary was truly to have loved her. Though tough at times, she was good-hearted, fun-loving, and deeply supportive, with a smile that warmed the soul. She loved her family with every fiber of her being, and her legacy of love, strength, and devotion will live on forever in our hearts.

To send a flower arrangement in memory of Mary Ben, please click here to visit our sympathy store.