Deborah Ruth Benson Vann – Life Story

Debbie was born June 4, 1952 in Pontotoc County Mississippi to Janie Ruth and Robert Louis Benson. At age two the family moved to Slidell, Louisiana where she lived until she left for college. She was the last of four children: Robert Louis Benson Jr., Sherry Benson McInnis, and Rebecca Benson Morley. She was pre-deceased by Robert and Janie Benson, and Robert Benson, II. Survived by husband Fred Vann, and sons, John Vann, and Brian Vann and nieces and nephews; Malissa Benoit, Trey Benson, III, Amy Morris, Jane McInnis, Keith Morley, II, Rachel Reavis, Michele Witten.

Debbie was five years younger than Becky so grew up spoiled as the baby of the family and somewhat as an only child. She was her father's fishing and golfing buddy and they would watch football and baseball games on TV. They flew in her dad's airplane to several college football games, any in which Ole Miss or Mississippi State played giving her a love for sports. Debbie also took 12 years of piano and received an award for participating in national competitions, she did love music. Whether driving in her car, sunning on the patio, at the beach or working around her home music was always playing. From early childhood Debbie loved animals, in fact if she had life to do over she says she would have been a veterinarian. At Mississippi College Debbie earned her BSN then worked as a nurse for 43 years beginning at Baptist Hospital in New Orleans, then Roper West Ashley Surgery Center in Charleston SC and lastly at Reston Hospital in Reston Virginia. She loved her nursing career and the friends she made along that part of her journey.

Then the fun began, she met Freddie at church, after knowing him for six months, they began to date. Three-four weeks into that they we engaged, were married December 17, 1976 at Word of Faith in New Orleans that began a 46 year journey of life filled with excitement challenge and love. The real excitement came with the birth of her two boys John Robert and Brian Benson: John born October 31, 1979 and Brian born October 19, 1981 both due October 23 ^rd . Debbie loved her boys and would always say, "God made me to have boys" and she put her heart and soul into them.

She was their Santa, Easter Bunny, tooth fairy, birthday party host and baseball taxi of which was one of her greatest delights; she never missed a game in seven years even if she was not feeling well. Hands down the boys' greatest achievements were picking their wives; Amy Tabor, John's wife and Ashley Staley, Brian's wife. Their best gift they gave to her was her grandchildren. Brian and Ashley had Emma Ruth 17, Dylan Benson 15 and Ethan Staley 12. John and Amy had Andrew David 10, and Olivia Ruth 8.

Last Debbie loved to just spend time with Freddie. An evening with dinner from the grill, a drink sitting by the firepit then a good movie with Freddie rubbing her feet, capped off with laughing at Steve Harvey was the best…Debbie loved to laugh and have fun. Her touch, her presence, her laugh will be missed by her family and friends, we love you Nana Bee.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Debbie's favorite charities!

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