Mary Alice Benson

Affectionately known as "Sal," beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother,

great-great grandmother, aunt, cousin and pillar of her community, entered into eternal

rest on November 20, 2025 in Fairhope, Alabama at the age of 96. She was born on

December 21, 1928 in Battles Wharf, Alabama to Ed and Janie McConico and from the

very beginning, her life was marked by abundant grace, resilient strength, and

unwavering faith in God.

Mary Alice was educated at Baldwin County Training School, where she laid

the foundation for a lifetime of hard work and compassion. She dedicated her career to

patient care, serving tirelessly and lovingly until her retirement from Beasley Nursing

Home and Thomas Hospital. Her service to others was not just a profession-it was a

calling.

A devoted member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Mary Alice served

faithfully for decades, mostly under the late Dr. Clarence A. Lett. She was a proud and

active member of the Sunday School, Usher Board, Nurses' Aides, Gospel Chorus,

Missionary Department, and Seniors Ministry. Her faith in God was unshakeable,

guiding her steps and shaping her legacy. No matter who a person was, she had a way of

making him or her feel like part of her family. Her home was always filled with excla-

mations, lively conversations, laughter, and love. She believed in filling her house with

family, friends, and fellowship-always ready to host with a warm meal, a listening ear,

and a word from The Lord. Mary Alice was known for "whipping up" something

wonderful in the kitchen, particularly her famous potato salad, large lima beans, and

signature gumbo that family and friends will forever remember.

Even as her body grew weary with age, the love she planted in her family continued to

flourish. She lived a life rooted in compassion, faith, joy, and her spirit will remain a

light in the hearts of all who knew her.

Mary Alice was preceded in death by her parents, husband, L.C. Benson; her sons,

Lawrence Thomas, Charles Thomas; and her daughter, Shirley Thomas; and her sib-

lings, Lionel McConico, Leon McConico, Edward McConico, Dorothy Miles, Amanda

McConico, Geraldine Brown, and Alberta Reed.

She leaves to cherish her memories devoted children, Eddie (Pam) Thomas and Yvette

Jones Bracy; daughters-in-law, Annie Thomas and Beverly Thomas; dedicated grand-

daughters Amanda (Darrin) Houston and Shamika Bracy, loving granddaughters Tina

Thomas, Elaine Thomas, Tameka Williams, Taneka Thomas, and Sheriece Worthean;

caring grandsons Lawrence (Pamela) Yelding, Edmund Thomas, Charles Worthean,

Charles Broadnax, Corey (Erica) Thomas, Marco Thomas, Benjamin Rocker and Walter

Rocker, Nathaniel Boone & William Humphrey. She is also survived by her attentive

great-grandchildren Janie Houston, Darrin Houston Jr., August Houston, Braceson

Dailey, Atreyu Thomas, Gabrielle Parker, Brock Thomas, Cornelius Watkins, Briana

Watkins, Edrick Williams, Nyla Eula, Edmund Thomas Jr., Jordan Thomas, Khalil

(Alexis) Yelding, Rashad Yelding, Amari Yelding, along with great-great grandchildren

Vincent Houston III, Isabella Houston, Laithyn Parker, Atreyu Thomas Jr, Loyal &

Legend McCants, Ameria Thomas, Carter Thomas, Jordan Thomas, Iveyonna Thomas,

Zaylan Thomas, Talia Thomas, Caiden Thomas, Travion Wilson, Amari Wilson, Colitho

Broadnax; adopted daughters Marcelete Mitchell & Maxine Autry; adopted grand-

daughter Lisa Robertson; caring god-children, Patrick (Michelle) McConico, Kee-lan

Reed, Rudy (Jacinta) Reed, Terria McNack, Renita (Greg) Mitchell and a host of ex-

tended family who will forever hold her in their hearts.

She also leaves a host of committed nieces, nephews, and cousins, including Bill

(Salena) Stallworth, Barbara Brown, Elisha (Cindy) Brown Jr., Brenda Reed, Janet Reed

Cottrell, Sharlene (Kenny) Barge, Alice (Don) Smith, Lisa (Rob) Taylor, Ricky (Tracey)

Reed, Alicia (Timothy) Adams, Pastor Carlos (Audriene) McConico, Audre McGriff,

Irmatean McConico, Monica (Randy) Williams, Daryel McConico, Apalandra Jones,

Gwen McConico, April Smith, Chris McConico, Brittany McConico, Andre' McConico,

Yolanda McConico, Amanda Padgett, Valerie Chaney Michael (Melissa) Reed, Rachel

Reed, Nikita Reed, Tiffaney (Marvell) Williamson, Tamayia Reed, Gail Bolar. Special

family friends Joyce Finkley, Cecilia Houston-Torrence, Malcom Barge, Betty Smith,

Ella Fuller, Victoria Mitchell, Albert Hargrove, James Hooks, Patricia Harris, Carolyn

Williams, Meesha January-Donald, Ella Houston and the Houston family, Kay Frances

Williams & Angie Snowden also remain to treasure her memory.

"Her legacy of faith, family, service, and love will live on for generations to com