Allie Marie Benson

Allie Marie Benson was born to Davis Gray and Idell Harvey Cox June 26, 1935 and passed away quietly in her sleep May 14, 2021 at home surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her late husband R.D. Benson, siblings Jessie, Margie, Ruby, Walter, Peanut, Cotton, and Jimmy Clyde, and her grandchildren Kayla Brantley and Dakota Benson. Left to cherish her memory, generations of her family including Dennis & Sherry Smith, Connie Smith Pearson, Vickie & Don Bennett, Ken & Juli Williamson, Troy & Cheradee Benson, Ted & Michelle Benson, Becky & Tommy Barnett, Jason & Becky Cannon, Lane & Michael Mitchell, Lacey Williamson, Lisa & Cody Roach, Loren Williamson, Casey & Alisha Tilton, Garret & Taylor Benson, Brandon Benson, Gabrielle Benson, Tamra Benson, Kendra Benson, Keyana Benson, Bobby Barnett, Makayla Barnett, Deanna Romero, Tyler Brazell, Brooklyn Cannon, Ethan Mitchell, Ellie Mitchell, Isaiah Roach, Aiden Roach, Lyla Roach, Kellee Tilton, Lane Tilton, William Tilton, Bailey Benson, Emma Benson, Christopher Brantley, Destiny Brantley & Kel Freelon, Tyler Thornton, and Khalani Freelon. She also leaves behind many friends including her close friend Anita Peterson who was able to stay with Marie during her last days and hours making them immeasurably more enjoyable. The dedication of Anita Peterson, Dr. Samuel Abshire and staff, Louisiana Home Care of Springhill staff, and the Regional Hospice staff and their time and care has been greatly appreciated by her family. Marie graduated Cotton Valley High School in 1954 before attending business college in Shreveport. She started work at the Old Confederate Hospital, now known as LSU, and left to begin her family when she married Robert W. Smith March 15, 1958. They had two children together Dennis Smith and Connie Smith-Pearson. Her family expanded again when she married R.D. Benson June 1987 and brought his five children into the family Sherry, Vickie, Ken, Troy, and Ted. She was many things to many people: a daughter, sister, friend, wife, homemaker, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She loved to travel, cook, garden, sing, and dance. She was incredibly patient, even when she did not want to be, because she was always surrounded by big personalities. Loud, very loud, personalities. She loved us all anyway. She never questioned it, she just made a space for everyone who showed up and treated them like they belonged. All the many branches and vines of the family tree were welcome and any kids who showed up would forever be one of her kids. She enjoyed spending time with the people she loved. She was everyone’s grandmother and we will never stop loving her for the special way she made a place for everyone. Services will be determined at a later date. If Roses Grow in Heaven By: Dolores M. Garcia If roses grow in Heaven Lord Please pick a bunch for me. Place them in my mother’s arms And tell her they’re from me. Tel her that I love and miss her, and when she turns to smile, Place a kiss upon her cheek, And hold her for awhile. Because remembering her is easy, I do it everyday, But there’s an ache within my heart That will never go away