Phadalia Benge

Biography

Phadalia Lucille Benge of Waco passed away Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 21, at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Drive, Woodway, Texas 76712. Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, at Grace Gardens Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery Dallas, TX.

Phadalia Lucille Benge was born on October 24, 1931, in Houston, Texas, to James Marvin McFerrin and Ruth Pearl (James). Phadalia attended Stonewall Jackson Junior High where she started dating Bobby Joe Benge when she was 14, and he was 13. Bobby and Phadalia celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary August 25, 2016. She attended Stephen F. Austin High School and graduated in 1949. She was a member of the Scottish Brigade dance team. After Bobby and Phadalia wed on August 25, 1951, they came to Waco where Phadalia worked at Baylor University’s Bill Daniel Student Union Building and Bobby played baseball and football for the Bears. From 1956 to 1975, Phadalia supported Bobby as he became an Officer in the United States Air Force. During this time, she served as president and held many leadership positions of the Officers’ Wives Club on several military bases. Phadalia was a support and sponsor to ROTC cadets and their wives at Oklahoma State University and volunteered as a Girl Scout counselor where the girls called her “Sparky.” While stationed in Blytheville, Arkansas, she was a parent volunteer to students and staff at Gosnell High School. In 1975, when Bobby retired from the U.S. Air Force, Bobby and Phadalia moved to Austin, where she was an administrative assistant at the Austin State School serving special needs children and families. They then moved to Houston, Texas where Phadalia assisted Bobby as he built homes and helped develop subdivisions. Bobby and Phadalia then moved to Carrollton, Texas where she was an attendance clerk and administrative assistant at Dan F. Long Middle School. She was awarded the PTA Life Membership for her commitment to education and service to others. Upon retirement, she became a full-time “Mammaw” as she took care of her grandchildren. Phadalia was a charter member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church where she served as the first woman usher.

In 1995, Bobby and Phadalia moved back to their roots in Waco, Texas to enjoy retirement with their family and friends. Phadalia was a member of the Garden Club and served in various leadership positions with the Waco Newcomers and Neighbors. She was instrumental in growing the membership from 30 to over 300. Phadalia was an avid supporter and member of McLennan Community College Cosmetology Advisory Board. Phadalia and Bobby loved their Baylor Bears and were spirited fans of the Bears’ baseball team. They were both members of First United Methodist Church. Phadalia had an unconditional love for her family and friends, especially her husband, Bobby Joe. Phadalia was a strong woman of faith, an encourager and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother; a true friend of so many and a stranger to none. She played the piano and accordion and was an excellent seamstress who enjoyed sewing dresses and outfits for her daughters and grandchildren. She always had a book in her hand, whether it was at the beach, on the boat or in her living room. She was the ultimate entertainer with a compassionate heart, a great sense of humor and unwavering commitment to education, military service, her family, husband, and friends.

Phadalia was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Norma Lee Junell; her brother James McFerrin; and granddaughter Katherine Allison Ready.

She is survived by her husband, Bobby Joe Benge; daughters, Devlin Benge Ready and her husband William Buckner Ready, Katherine Benge King and her husband Jeffrey Alan King; and grandchildren, Ashley Kyle Ready, Ferrin Nicole Ready, Weston Blake Ready and his wife Pamela Christine Ready, Katherine Allison King and Kate McFerrin King.

Memorials may be made to Fellowship of Christian Athletes - http://heartoftexasfca.org/donate