Evelyn Benson

Evelyn Pearl Benson, 94, of Marlow, Oklahoma passed from this life Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in the Gregston's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in the Bethel Assembly of God Church with Reverend Ron Meador officiating. Interment will follow in the Duncan Cemetery under the direction of the Bailes-Polk Funeral Home.

Viewing will be held Monday from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Evelyn was born October 11, 1931, near Sterling, Oklahoma and is the daughter of Sidney P. and Sallie L. (Morse) Blankenship. She grew up near Sterling while attending Rock Springs and Sterling schools until the family moved to the Denton Community west of Marlow. She continued her education at Central High School west of Marlow. She and Thomas E. Benson were married in Duncan, Oklahoma on November 4, 1975. The following summer she, Thomas, and her daughter, Sherry Johnson, moved to the Southwest edge of Duncan where they lived for several years. She and Thomas eventually moved into Duncan and lived there for many years before moving into Gregston's Nursing Home of Marlow in November 2023. She worked in the Central High School cafeteria as a cook along side her mother before becoming a mother herself and choosing to stay home to raise her daughter. In 1974 she returned to the workforce in the Shipping Department at All Orthopedic Appliances in Marlow prior to moving to Duncan. Once again, she chose to stay home and continue raising her daughter while attending the many school and church activities that Sherry was involved with. She eventually returned to the workforce once again as a cook in the Empire High School cafeteria near Duncan and retired in March 1994.

She attended Denton Baptist Church west of Marlow prior to moving to Duncan and it was there that she accepted Christ as a young girl and was baptized along with her parents in the creek near the church. After moving to Duncan, she, Thomas, and Sherry attended the First Assembly of God Church in Comanche, Oklahoma, for several years before she and Thomas moved their membership closer to their home. They attended Bethel Assembly of God Church in Duncan for many years and served as door greeters, which they thoroughly enjoyed. She loved being able to welcome and visit with everyone who attended. Even when they were no longer able to attend services at Bethel, they continued to serve the Lord with daily devotions, Bible reading, and prayer. They diligently watched church services every Sunday morning on the television.

She enjoyed reading, doing word search puzzles, sewing when she was able, and baking and candy making. It especially gave her joy to give her wonderful baked goods and candy to her family and friends. She loved Fall when the leaves began to change to beautiful colors, enjoyed all songs and movies by Elvis Presley, and loved her pretty peonies and roses when they bloomed each year. Her beautiful smile was always so sweet and warm and she had a kind, giving heart. Although she had no grandchildren, she would tell anyone who asked that she had grandcats and wore the title of Grandma Cat proudly. She always wanted to know how her grandcats were and what they were doing every time she spoke to her daughter. She loved her family so much and enjoyed spending as much time with them as possible, making precious memories along the way. She was always excited when the family reunion time came around. Her greatest love was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She strived to live for Him and honor Him every day in all she did or said.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister and brother-in-law Mary Stromberg Taylor and Ivar Stromberg, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Lora and Leonard Stepp, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Lutie and Glenn McClennen, and two nephews Lynn Stepp and Joe Stepp.

Survivors include her husband Thomas Benson of Marlow, Oklahoma, her daughter Sherry (Johnson) Price and husband Allen of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, her niece Darlene Cook and husband Bill of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, her niece Dr. Leann Dodd and husband J.R. of Guthrie, Oklahoma, her nephew James Stepp and wife Sandra of Hinton, Oklahoma, her niece Gayla Harris and husband Paul of Duncan, Oklahoma, four great nieces, four great nephews, several great-great nieces and nephews, and many cousins.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Gregston's Nursing Home and Refuge Hospice for the care, compassion, and love they provided to Evelyn.

Online condolences may be made at www.bailespolkfuneralhome.com