Fannie Lee Donald Benson

Fannie Lee Donald Benson entered peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior at her home in Jackson, MS on April 12, 2025, at the age of 93. Fannie was born on June 6, 1931, to Uriah Burt (U.B.) and Mary Ella Penn Donald in Morton, Mississippi where she grew up with her brothers and sisters. In high school, she moved to Jackson, where she met her late husband, Gerald B Benson, while singing in the church choir together at West Jackson Baptist Church. She worked for Lane-Moak Pontiac as a receptionist until she had children, then, once her children were school aged, she worked at home as a childcare provider, during which time she met Pat and David Parris and their daughter Nikki, who quickly became part of the Benson family.

In 1989, Fannie began to lose her sight due to complications from diabetes and, after losing her sight completely, attended the Addie McBride Rehab Center for the Blind at UMMC, where she learned to read Braille and do daily tasks without her sight. At this time, Fannie, unfortunately, had to give up caring for children, but was able to begin working as an assembly worker at Royal Maid Industries for the Blind (later known as Lion's Club Industries), where she worked for 23 years, retiring at the age of 82.

Despite her new challenges, Fannie persevered by advocating for other blind and disabled people and even became the president of the Hazlehurst Chapter of the Council of the Blind for many years. During this time, Fannie organized many fundraisers and was invited to sing at many churches and fundraising events. In her later years, she was part of a traveling ladies chorus led by Laura Higgins and even learned to play the piano by ear after going blind. She was always singing and sharing her love and life through the words of a song.

Fannie and her family were long-time members of Oak Forest Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Keenagers and her beloved ladies Sunday School class. When Oak Forest decided to pass the church on to Calvary Christian Fellowship Church, Fannie chose to stay, along with a handful of other church members to aid in the transition and proudly became a beloved fixture of the united family of believers now called Calvary Christian/Oak Forest.

Fannie is preceded in death by her husband of nearly 65 years, Gerald, as well as son Jerry Glenn, granddaughter Angela Wilson, her brothers and sisters, and many beloved friends. She is survived by her children, Kathy and Bill Wilson, Ronnie and Cindy Benson, Susan and Jeff Pope, David and Tiffany Benson, Pat and David Parris, and son Kerry Benson and his family, as well as her grandchildren, Arin Benson, Leslie Parker, Tyler Pope, Jessie and Ryan Buckley, Sarah and Daniel Dykes, Nikki and Roger Morris, Brooke and Jake Weldon, and Philip and Meredith Kirby, and great-grandchildren, Sage Buckley, Lane and Colton Weldon, and Michael and Meriella Kirby, and Shelby and Brady Herrington.

The family would like to acknowledge the staff at Traditions Health for the excellent care they provided for our Mama Benson in her last few months.

Donations may be made in Fannie's memory to her church, Calvary Christian/Oak Forest Baptist Church, 2875 Oak Forest Dr., Jackson, MS 39212.