Mirdie Benton

Mirdie Lee Benton entered this world on July 28, 1935, in Strong, Arkansas to Joe and Myrtle Loggins. She was the oldest of ten children. Mirdie lived a life of service as she spent a great deal of her life helping to raise her younger brothers and sisters as well as caring for her ailing mother, sister, and husband until they departed this life.

Mirdie was an avid fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team. She was excited to watch them on television, but she was especially thrilled when she could attend a game in person. She loved family gatherings, particularly during the holidays. Her children would come home and Mirdie would be seen sitting under her carport with them laughing, talking, and joking. She had a way of making people laugh with her stories of long ago. She had a green thumb. From the flowers and plants on the outside to the ones on the inside, her ability to nurture them was seen in their beauty. Mirdie was known in Ebenezer for her soulful cooking. She made the best homemade biscuits in South Arkansas. She was also recognized for her delicious apple and apricot preserves. Mirdie spent most of her life caring for her children until they were older. After this, she worked for several years at King's Inn Hotel in El Dorado, Arkansas.

Mirdie was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Myrtle Loggins; her husband, Ollie Benton; one daughter, Linda White; brothers, Billie Joe Loggins, George Willie Loggins, and Allen Mack, and sisters, Mary Loggins, Ruthie Robinson, and Brenda Chambers.

She leaves to cherish her memories six children; Annie Ruth Holliman (Rick), Virginia Morgan, and Ollie Benton, Jr. (Linda), all from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Marvin Benton (Valerie) of North Little Rock, AR; Marilyn Champion (Tony) of El Dorado, AR; and James Benton (Deborah) of Strong, Arkansas; one sister, Hattie Clark, and one brother, James Loggins (Betty). Mirdie is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews.