Rachel Ault Benson

Rachel Ault Benson was born September 5, 1926, in Lonsdale, Arkansas, to Georgia Garner Rigsby and Robert Fornia Rigsby, Sr., and she passed to her heavenly home on May 20, 2014, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. On August 8, 1943, she married husband of fifty-two years, Jake Ault and began their family legacy. Rachel worked alongside her husband to raise ten children, farm, make sorghum molasses, and bale hay all around Garland County. In addition to working in their home and raising their children, she was a help-mate to her husband in all his endeavors. Her husband and children were her life. They spent many hours going to basketball games, trailrides, and gospel singings. Her love for her family was second only to her love for her Lord Jesus Christ. She served her Savior faithfully as a member of Cedar Glades Baptist Church as well as everywhere she went. This included always having room for one more at the supper table. Speaking of her children, Rachel stated “I think I was meant to have ten kids, and I think they all think I was. It was wonderful to have them.” After her children were grown, she returned to school and became an LPN. She worked for many years as a dermatology nurse before retiring. Along with her paying job, Ma also spent many hours rocking, loving, nurturing, and singing to her beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Homemade biscuits and peach cobbler were her specialties and were always a reason to run home to Ma’s and Pa’s. You always knew, whether you wanted to or not, what she was thinking. She offered free advice for most situations. Her authoritative personality and her Lord’s blessings were responsible for her surviving breast cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Jake Ault and second husband Mervin Benson, infant son Winford Eli Ault, two daughters Cheryl Bondurant and Melanie Carson, two sons-in-law Wayne Bondurant and Jimmy Huff, grandson Shannon Hamilton, one brother Robert Fornia Rigsby, Jr. and two sisters Margie Lowery and Jackie Crabtree. Survivors include sons Dennis (Robin) Ault and Mark (Dee) Ault; daughters Sylvia (Hank) Carpenter, Marsha (Sidney) Pittman, Nina Huff, Debby (Junior) Ammons, Rebecca (Dwight) Weaver, and Michele (Dennis) Mitchell, son-in-law Kevin Carson, one step-daughter Debbie Meredith, eleven grandsons, thirteen granddaughters, forty great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Graveside services are 10:00 AM, Friday, May 23, 2014, at Newkirk Cemetery in Jessieville, with Brother James Preuett officiating. Pallbearers are her grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are Lynn Lambert, Lake Hamilton Health and Rehab, Dr. John Featherston, Dr. Martin Koehn, Dr. William Irwin, Levi Towers residents, and members of Cedar Glades Baptist Church.

Rachel Ault Benson

September 5, 1926 - May 20, 2014