Dixie ‘Marcine’ Benham

Dixie “Marcine” Benham, 76, of Stockton, passed away on Jan. 1, 2019, at Citizens Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Oct. 30, 1942, in Humansville to Milo and Leota (Carpenter) Honeyfield.

She lived in the Humansville and Collins area as a young child. For a brief period, she lived in Castle Rock, CO, with her parents before moving back to Collins. After her dad was discharged from the Army, her parents bought a farm between Humansville and Weaubleau. She spent many hours picking up rocks, milking cows, raking hay and working in the garden.

She was a 1960 graduate of Weaubleau High School.

She was saved as a young girl at Weaubleau Baptist Church. She joined Hazel Dell Missionary Baptist church in 1968. She was a faithful member of Hazel Dell before moving her membership to West Union Missionary Baptist church in 2012, where she was a dedicated member until her death.

She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Ralph Benham, on March 18, 1961. To this union, six children were born – Donald Gene, Gary Dwain, David James, Dixie Renee, Janet Denise and Marla Diane. She was a great wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker and cook. After raising her children, she worked various jobs in the community. She retired from Hammons Products in 2010 after 15 years of service.

The most important part of her life was attending church in support of her husband, Ralph, in his preaching of the gospel. Through the fruits of her labor she was blessed to have seen all of her six children saved and some of her grandchildren. She prayed for many people throughout this land and saw many people saved. Her greatest desire was for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to be saved and join her in Heaven one day.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Milo and Leota; sister, Karol Kay Tuck; her grandparents; two brothers-in-law; one grandson and two great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 57 years, Ralph; three sons – Don of Webb City, Gary and Sheila of El Dorado Springs and David and Christi of El Dorado Springs; three daughters, Dixie and Eric Turner of Mountain Home, AR, Janet and Andy Clark of Fort Leonard Wood and Marla and Ed Gettys of Stockton; one brother, Russell and Linda Honeyfield of Collins; one sister, Nancy and Roy Hensley of Collins; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; four dear aunts – Mahala Rabe of Kansas City, Francis Lewis of Phoenix  AZ, Ann Sheets and Ruth Hemingway; uncle Vernon Carpenter; two brothers-in-law; one sister-in-law; and very special friends, Tim and Shannon Cooper, and their son, Nathaniel; and Melinda Benham. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous dear friends.

The family wants to thank everyone for their generosity and prayers. May God bless you all.

Services were held Saturday, Jan. 5, in Bland-Brumback Funeral Home with Tim Cooper and Leo Keller officiating. Burial was in Pankey Cemetery.