Margarette Waldrop

Margarette Francis (Fran) Waldrop Champaign - Margarette Francis (Fran) Waldrop, 90, of Champaign went to her everlasting happy place on Monday (Nov. 3, 2025) after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Fran was born to Andrew and Lillian (Harrison) Cunningham on Sept. 21, 1935, in Williamson County. She married James W. Benson in August 1952 and had seven children with James. James is deceased. In December 2001, Fran married Ralph J. (Joe) Waldrop. He preceded her in death in June 2025. She was also preceded in death by her sons Michael and Mark Benson; a daughter, Cynthia Benson; and her sisters, Joyce Westbay and Sue Cox. Her greatest joy is her surviving children, Joseph, Stephen and Matthew Benson and Marcia (Benson) Woolcott; favorite son-in-law, Marlo Woolcott; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 2¾ great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Every one of them is a blessing from God. Fran worked several occupations but considered her most rewarding job being "Mom" and "Nana"! Joe and Fran enjoyed traveling in their motorhome to Texas, Colorado, Florida, South Carolina and other places they could find to enjoy God's glorious creations. Fran started attending First Christian Church in Johnston City at the tender age of 4, where she learned of God's great love and accepted Jesus Christ as her savior at age 11. She loved to sing his praises throughout her life. She asks that you not grieve but rejoice for a wonderful, blessed, fully lived life. A celebration of life will be held on Nov. 16 at First Christian Church, 701 N. Sycamore St., Villa Grove. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. with the celebration to follow at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Christian Church of Villa Grove or First Christian Church on Staley Road in Champaign.