Ewen Jewett “Judy” Reeves Bench, 88, of Greenville stepped through the gates of Heaven January 1, 2013 at her home. Born August 30, 1924 in the Tidwell Community, Judy was the daughter of Elisha Andrew and Ora (Jacobs) Reeves. On October 30, 1942, in Greenville, she married Vernon Bench. During their 70 years of marriage, Judy worked as a telephone operator, worked at Henson’s, was a realtor at “Bench and Company” with her husband, owned and operated “Judy’s”, her own children’s clothing store, and worked at Beall’s in Greenville. Judy was a member of the Eastern Star, and she and Vernon have been members of Highland Terrace Baptist Church in Greenville for a number of years.
Judy’s strength and determination saw her through the death of her siblings, a world war, and the Great Depression. She emerged from those trials equipped for the challenge of leading her own family. She is survived by her husband of Greenville and four sons and their spouses Vernon Bench Jr. and his wife Judy, David Bench and his wife Karen, Richard Bench and his wife Sherry, all of Greenville, and Douglas Bench of Dallas. God also blessed Judy with 6 grandchildren and their spouses. Her grandchildren are Clint Bench, Sonny Donaho and his wife Marielena, Andy Bench, Amy Bench Miears and her husband Brian, John Michael Bench, and Tyson Lee Bench and his wife Tory. Judy also has 6 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents and 9 brothers and sisters -- Elizabeth Mae Reeves Wilburn, Roxie Alvira Reeves, Annie Idell Reeves, Grady Leon Reeves, George Newton Reeves, Hubert Weldon Reeves, Ora Lovena Reeves Manley, Buna Ray Reeves, and Ardella Adeline Reeves Martin.
Services for Judy Bench will be held at 10:00 am Saturday at Highland Terrace Baptist Church with Rev. Royce Litchfield officiating. Interment will follow at Memoryland Memorial Park. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be grandsons Andy Bench, Sonny Donaho, Clint Bench, Tyson Lee Bench, John Michael Bench, and Brian Miears.
