Barbara Benson
Barbara Ann Benson, 60, of Bloomington, passed away at 10:41 a.m. on Jan. 19 at her residence in Bloomington.
Her funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington with Rev. Frank L. McSwain, Sr. Officiating. Visitation will be from 10-11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Bloomington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family. The family has entrusted Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington to handle arrangements for Barbara’s service.
Barbara was born on Nov. 15, 1955 in Flint, Michigan. She was the oldest daughter of four children born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey and Dorothy (Benton) Winfrey. She married Ezra T. Benson on Aug. 10, 1974 in Chicago. To this union one child was born, Tanisha DeShana Benson. He preceded her in death in 1996.
On Jan. 19 God called Barbara home. Leaving to cherish her memory are her life-partner, Donnie Gray; her loving Mother, Minnie Winfrey of Morehead, Miss.; her friend and daughter Tanisha Benson of Bloomington; her adoring granddaughters, The’resa Allen, Iyanla Allen Benson, and Aniya Allen Benson all of Bloomington; her three devoted siblings Eddie “Cookie” English of Cleveland, Ohio, Regina Winfrey of Atlanta, Ga., and Reginald (Heidi) Winfrey of Normal; and her only Aunt Annie Mae Holland of Flint, MI.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Barbara graduated Hirsch High School in 1973. She went on to receive her formal education from MSTA Business College in Chicago.
Barbara was employed for many years as a cook at District 87 in Bloomington, Advocate BroMenn Medical Center and Greenwood-Leflora Hospital in Greenwood, Miss., retiring in 2014.
She enjoyed cooking and was an avid reader. Barbara will be remembered for all the wonderful characteristics she possessed. She was a wonderful mother, an amazing grandmother, one of the most loyal and trustworthy friends you would meet. Barbara was also known for her funny personality and her love and compassion for friends and family. She was very intelligent and enjoyed playing challenging word games.
She was loved very much and will be truly missed.
Online condolences and memories of Barbara may be left for the family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.
