Obituary of Maxine Phyllis Benson

In loving memory of MAXINE PHYLLIS BENSON July 28, 1924 – August 23, 2020 Maxine Phyllis Benson, 96, of Fort Myers, Florida, went home to be with her Lord on August 23, 2020, at Hope Hospice in Lehigh Acres, Florida. Maxine was born July 28, 1924, in Burt, Michigan to the late Roy and Bernice (Baker) Gagnon. She married Ellis Estel Benson August 4, 1941, and started their family in Jackson, Michigan. After her children were of school age, Maxine decided to go to Beauty School and begin a career as a hairdresser. In 1972 she moved with her husband and youngest son to Lehigh Acres, Florida. She attended Lee Blvd Baptist Church and enjoyed managing Helyn Brown Dress Shop. She and her husband then settled in Zephyrhills, Florida, to spend time with family and friends. After his death she moved to Fort Myers in order to be closer to her sons. She was a member of Riverside Baptist Church where she served handing out bulletins, cooking family-night dinners, and she attended the Prime Time Bible Study Class. She loved to cook and clean, was famous for her cookies, chicken and dumplings, and her crocheted blankets for newlyweds and newborns. She is survived by her son Rodney Benson and his wife Carol of Fort Myers, Florida, her stepson Rev. Donald Benson and his wife Mary of Jasper, Tennessee, and daughters-in-law Betty Benson of Estero, Florida, and Antoinette Benson of Kalamazoo, Michigan, sister Marjorie Fite and her husband Victor of Flushing, Michigan, 16 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Ellis Estel Benson, sons Roger Allan Benson and Dennis Jay Benson, stepson Charles Benson and his wife June, sister Jean Coons and her husband William, 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She lost both her mother and sister, Jean, in the Flint tornado of 1953. There will be a memorial service at Riverside Church, 8660 Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers, Florida, on Saturday September 19, 2020 at 11 AM, please join the family for visitation an hour before the service. A graveside service will be held at Saint Paul's Episcopal Mission, Cook Cemetery, Taymouth Township, Saginaw County, Michigan, on October 24, 2020 at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Riverside Church, 8660 Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33912 Condolences may be left at www.akin-davis.com