Frances Ann Benham passed away peacefully at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma , on June 21, 2009. Fran is survived by her son, Paul Alexander, and his wife, Janet, and their two daughters, Katharine and Jane; her daughter, Susan Murrell, and Susan's two sons, Val and Richard; her daughter, Mary Ellen Alexander, and her husband, Kent Cheshire; and her son, Bob Alexander, and his wife, Brenda, and their two sons, Joshua and Christopher and daughter Hanna; and her brother, Lawrence Dunlap. Fran was born on November 8, 1923 in Cornish, Oklahoma , and grew up in Ardmore. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1945 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1952, she returned to OU as Head Dietitian for the OU Student Union and later earned an M.A. in Nutrition from Central State University in Edmond. While at OU, she met and married Robert D. Alexander and, shortly thereafter, moved to Oklahoma City, where she lived most of her life and raised her family. After Bob passed away in 1980, she re-married to Grayson Ray, with whom she enjoyed five wonderful years until he passed away in 1988. Thereafter she married John Benham, to whom she remained married until he passed away in 2006. Fran had countless interests and activities throughout her life. She joined Westminster Presbyterian Church in 1954, which was a source of strength and faith to her throughout her life. She enjoyed book clubs, traveled to far away places, painting, dancing and sharing time and experiences with her many wonderful friends in Oklahoma City . She lived a full life, driven by a strong and loving spirit. She seemed never to rest. Above all, she focused her nearly inexhaustible love and energy on her four children and their families. To them, she was a constant and encouraging force. Her love for them was as strong and warming as the sun. It seems impossible that she is no longer with us. She will be loved and missed forever. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Committal services follow at Fairlawn Cemetery.

Sources:  good faith fair use of sources stated above

Compiled, transcribed and submitted by Marti Graham, Oklahoma County, OKGenWeb Coordinator, April, 2013. Information posted for educational purposes for viewers and researchers. The contributor is not related to nor researching any of the above.

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