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Submitted: 11/20/18 • Approved: 11/21/18 • Last Updated: 1/18/23 • R202491-G202491-S3
January 3, 1930 - February 6, 2018
Sara Ellen Bruno Benton, 88, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 after a lengthy illness. She championed adversity and maintained her dignity until the end. She was born in New Orleans, LA on January 3, 1930, and lived as a lifelong resident of Monroe, LA.
She is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Nellie Guerriero Bruno and Nicholas Bruno, who owned Bruno’s Shoe Repair formerly at the corner of Second St. and Desiard St., and her infant sister, Martha Jane Bruno. Also, her cherished aunt, Louise Guerriero Gilliland, one of the first female realtors in Monroe, uncles Willie Miller and Frank Guerriero who had Miller-Guerriero Hardware Store in downtown Monroe, and her treasured cousins, Betty Miller Thomson of West Monroe, Marie Bruno Lahitte of New Orleans, and Nick Bruno of Monroe.
She is survived by her daughter, Marynell Benton Hardin, FNP of Monroe, her beautiful granddaughters, Sarah Hardin, Rebekah Hardin, and Andrea Hardin who were the complete joy of her life.
Ms. Benton graduated from Neville High School in 1947. She then led the way for the cause of women by obtaining a degree in Elementary Education from then Northeast Junior College (University of Louisiana at Monroe) in 1949, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics from then Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (Louisiana Tech) in 1952, and her Master’s in Education from then Northeast Louisiana State College (University of Louisiana at Monroe) in 1967. She found her calling in teaching and has touched the lives of countless children, who loved her dearly. She continued to work as a tutor until the age of 80. Ms. Benton’s legacy will ripple through unknown numbers of lives for many, many years to come. Her example was strong, imperfect, and filled with love for her God, her family, and all people. She was the hands and feet of Jesus to those who needed her, and even those who didn’t.
Funeral service and abbreviated Mass will be held in the chapel at Mulhearn Funeral Home on Sterlington Road in Monroe, LA on Friday, February 9, 2018, at 10:00 am. Visitation will be Thursday evening, February 8, 2018 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the same location.
Pallbearers will be Rusty Whitten, Mark Sutterfield, Chris Edwards, Floyd Stewart, Randy Branch, and Jim Stewart. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Charles Morgan, Ben Strickland, Jerry Baillio, and Dennis Frye.
The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the staff at Stoneybrook Assisted Living in West Monroe for their excellence in providing care and their authentic concern for their residents. No price can be put on knowing your loved one is properly cared for. Also, thanks to Louisiana Hospice for truly providing comfort care to both Ms. Benton and her family.
Memorials would be the highest honor to remember Sara Ellen Bruno Benton, as charity was an integral part of her life both in word and deed. She would take the personal time to do unto others with kind words, loving compassion, and actions that uplift others. Visit loved ones, friends, and the infirmed, as this was her example. Donations can be made to her favorite local charity, the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. But having a child come eat Christmas dinner with your family would be the better gift for a child with no home to call his or her own. Also, St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis was a charity dear to her heart.
Contributed on 11/20/18 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 202491