Mary Nell Benson

She was born to Jewell Harwell and Floyd Harwell in Bynum, Texas on January 16, 1927. Mary Nell is preceded in death by her husband, Harry Eddie Benson. Mary Nell is survived by her sister, Nancy Scott of Hillsboro, Texas, daughter Elizabeth Benson Smith and her husband, Michael Kavanagh Smith of Austin, Texas, grandson Jonathan Smith and wife Cameron Smith, granddaughter Emily Echols and husband Stephen Echols, great-grandsons, Gabriel Echols, Thomas Echols, son David Harwell Benson and his wife Isabel Theobald Benson of Houston, Texas, granddaughter Amanda Benson Williams and husband Tyler Williams, great-granddaughters, Hannah Williams, Hallie Williams, and grandson Andrew Benson.

Mary Nell was a graduate of Bynum High School and Texas State College for Women. Upon graduation from college Mary Nell embarked on a teaching career in Port Arthur, Texas. She later taught school in Pasadena, Texas and Spring Branch Independent School District in Houston, Texas.

A lifelong learner, Mary Nell loved to teach and help others. On many occasions she expressed her love of teaching with the comment, “I feel as if I am making a valuable contribution to society by being a teacher.” She was an excellent seamstress who loved to express her creativity with different textures and elaborate stitching. An avid reader, Mary Nell was an active participant in numerous book clubs. She will be deeply missed by her family.

A funeral service for Mary will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 12:30 pm in Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Chapel with committal service to follow.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Benson family.