Sophia Mae "Jean" Benham, 88, formerly of Spiro, passed
away Friday, June 21, 2002 in Loveland, Colo. She was born April 1, 1914
in Alma to Wallace H. and Ruth Elizabeth Sherman Babb. She was a past
member of the Garden Club, the Grange of Spokane, Wash. and also of the
Dwellers, which is a gold prospecting club. She was a member of the
Primitive Baptist Church in Arkansas and enjoyed ceramics, gardening,
singing and loved children and dancing. She had been crowned Ms. Sierra
Vista in 1994 and had won four gold medals and three silver medals in
the Senior Olympics. She previously lived in Fort Smith and Florida
before moving to Loveland in 1994.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, C.B. Autry,
one son, Derryl Autry; one sister and four brothers. Survivors include
one daughter, Annie Saul and husband Don of Loveland; one sister, Ruth
Smith of Fort Smith; six grandchildren; and 10
great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 25 at Spiro City Cemetery with the
Rev. Robert Maxwell officiating, under the direction of Mallory Funeral
Home of Spiro.