Luella Hodge Benedict, 97, passed away on January 13 at Asbury Hospice House in Hattiesburg. She was born on May 12, 1919, in Grant’s Lick, Kentucky, to Elmer and Florine Daniels Hodge. Luella was a member of Main Street Baptist Church in Hattiesburg. She graduated from Bethesda School of Nursing in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a registered nurse.

She married her childhood sweetheart, Quentin Earl Benedict, in 1942. They were blessed with six children, five daughters and one son. She was a dedicated and loving wife and mother who spent countless hours listening to her children practice various musical instruments, primarily the piano. She was an excellent seamstress and needle crafter, among other creative skills. She was a fierce competitor who loved involving her husband and children in various games. Her travels took her on numerous cruises and on trips throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, the Orient, and the Middle East. She gained great satisfaction in serving as a hospital volunteer, first at Forrest General, then for twenty seven years at Wesley Medical Center.

Luella was preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings, Lester Hodge and Beryl Hodge Houser. She is survived by her husband, Quentin, and children: son Mark Benedict; daughters, Patricia Valadez, Carol Simmons (Jack), Sue Helms, Connie Benedict, and Rebecca Hatcher (Stan).

Her grandchildren (who called her Mama Lue) include Mark Polk (Avalon), Melinda Robinson (Mike), Jay Simmons, Alice Simmons, Jeffery Mitchell (Missy), Deborah Cunningham (Jacob), Robert Benedict (Catherine) and Mark Russell Benedict, Ross Hatcher (Betty Clair), Ryan Hatcher (Kayla), Bethany Alcantara (Rene), and Reed Hatcher. She is also survived by nineteen great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Luella has donated her body to the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Her memorial service is Sunday, January 15, 3:00 p.m. at Forrest Funeral Home, Hattiesburg, with visitation at 2:00 p.m., prior to the service.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Benedict Scholarship Fund at William Carey University, 498 Tuscan Avenue, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39401.

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