Minnie Belle Benson was born Dec. 12, 1905, at Clinton, Mo., the daughter of the late William and Dellia Belle Shelton Green. She died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2005, at the Piggott Community Hospital at the age of 100 years and nine days. She celebrated her 100th birthday on Monday, Dec. 12, at Murphy Health and Rehabilitation Center in Piggott.

She accepted Christ at an early age.

She was united in marriage to Crawford M. Benson on Oct. 4, 1926. They had three sons and three daughters.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Crawford M. Benson, in 1991; one daughter, Ella Mae; one son, William F. "Bill"; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sisters and five brothers.

She is survived by two sons, Floyd Benson of Senath and Donald Benson of Piggott; two daughters, Jolene Deboit of Cahokia, Ill., and Dorothy Wiltfang of Piggott; 18 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Clyde Green of Clinton, Mo.; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005, in the Hoggard and Sons Chapel with Bro. Mike Book officiating. Burial followed in the Piggott Cemetery. Pallbearers were Alan Morris, Jerry Williams, Fred Ort, Allen Parker, Shawn Parker and Steve Hill.

Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home of Piggott was in charge of the arrangements.