Betty Joan (Smith) Benjamin

Betty Joan (Smith) Benjamin, 81, was called to her heavenly home on Monday, November 13, 2017. Betty was born to the late John T. and Helen Smith in Glezen, Indiana, on April 5, 1936. The next most significant date in her life was August 20, 1954, the day she married the love of her life, Jack Benjamin. As he tells everyone, they were together 67 years. Together they had two daughters, Leesa and LuAnn, whose needs always came first. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and friend.

Evansville has been home since 1959. Betty was the first non-teacher employee of the Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union. Then Betty worked in the Business Office at Welborn Hospital for 27 years, from where she retired twice. She enjoyed bowling, golfing, boating, getting to spend time with family and friends, getting to know her great grandchildren, and traveling. During Spring Break vacations, she and Jack were able to see many parts of the country and learn from these experiences. To celebrate their 50th and 60th anniversaries, Betty decided that she would spend part of her girls’ inheritance with them by taking them on family cruises to Hawaii and Alaska.

Betty was a charter member of American Baptist East, former member of East Side Baptist, member of the Easter Star and the Daughters of the Nile. Betty was a gracious hostess and enjoyed every minute of the preparation of the food and activities. She enjoyed watching everyone have a good time and enjoy what was prepared.

Much of Betty’s life was spent working with children. She helped prepare food for Wednesday night programs at church, taught Bible School, taught Sunday School, and was a Brownie leader for her younger daughter. Much joy was received from watching these children grow and mature through the years – none more than her unofficial grandsons, Sean and Chris Bagbey.

Surviving Betty are her husband of 63 years, Jack; daughters, Leesa (Gary Gates) Benjamin of Evansville, IN,  LuAnn Licari of Sunrise, FL; sister, Marilou (Ed) Mills of Plano, TX; sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Smith of Evansville, IN, Sue Swain of Columbus, OH, Patricia Howson of Petersburg, IN, Barbara Benjamin of Winslow, IN, and Anna Belle Benjamin of Avon, IN; brother-in-law, Don (Irene) Benjamin of Newburgh, IN; grandchildren, Gregory Gates, Kathryn (Mathew) Madary, and Brad (Theresa) Gates; great grandchildren, Owen Gates, Asher Gates, Hugo Gates, and Jasmine Madary; many loved nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 am, Friday, November 17, 2017, at American Baptist East Church, 6300 Washington Avenue, Evansville, Indiana. Burial will be in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Petersburg, Indiana, with Pastor Frank Coleman and Reverend Dr. Henry Hawkins officiating.

Friends may visit from 3 pm until 7 pm, Thursday, November 16, 2017, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, Indiana.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to American Baptist East Church at 6300 Washington Avenue, Evansville, Indiana, or Hadi Hospital Staff Transportation Fund at PO Box 1, Evansville, IN 47701.

Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net     

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