Marcella “Mama/Big Mama” Lucille Lee-Benson was a beautiful 88 years young. She was born on July 25, 1928 in Topeka, Kansas to the late Sylvia “Goldie” Redmon-Lee and Harry J. Lee. Marcella was the second eldest daughter of five children, one living sister, Aleda J. Owens-Jones, one sister, Lyda and two brothers, Edward T. and James A. Lee whom preceded her in death.
Marcella grew up in Topeka and there she dedicated her life to Christ. She relocated to Chicago, Illinois where she later met her future husband, Willie Benson (deceased) and later married him having six children; Judy, Donnie, Evon, Willie, Verdale and Ervin. Verdale and Ervin have preceded her in death. She later remarried, Jessie McCray (deceased) who had one son, Jerry. To her loving family, she was a loving wife and mother. Marcella and her husband, Willie opened their own business calling it, Marcella’s. They worked together for many years. Marcella later went to work for Plochman’s Mustard Company in Chicago, where she retired. After retiring from Plochman’s she returned to working for what she loved to do most, helping others. She had a golden heart for people and her door was always open to those in need; whether it was for food, clothing, shelter, or even monetary gifts that she gave selflessly. She even started fostering children until she decided to relocate back to Topeka to take care of her family. Family was especially important to her and she truly enjoyed being a grandmother and caring for them. She was affectionately known to everyone as “Mama” and the great-grandchildren gave her the name “Big Mama,” a name which she loved.
She was the ROCK and FOUNDATION of our family. Marcella’s transition home occurred amongst family on Saturday, February 11, 2017. She leaves to cherish her memories, one Aleda J. Owens-Jones, one sister-in-law, Galena Lee both of Topeka, Kansas, two daughters, Judy M. Washington-Mosley (Otis) of Coal City, Illinois, Evon L. Lee-Wilson (Sylvester, deceased) of Chicago, IIllinois, her three sons, Donnie R. Lee and Willie “Boo” E. Lee (Beverly-deceased) both of Topeka, KS., and David E. Benson (Connie) of Salt Lake City, Utah. Marcella also has 28 grandchildren, Deneen, Sylvester, Gregory, Markyta (Alex), Ashley, Lakyta (Henry), Verdale Jr., Antonio (Sandy), Miquel, Yolanda (Randy), Tishonda (Tye), Lititia, Misty (Kris), Caroline(Joe), Dearmond, Dion, Latasha, Leyale, Donnique, Kevin, Ethan, Marty, Shondelle, Torean, Isaiah, Nehemiah, Dustin, Jason, Jeremy; 27 great-grandchildren, Tramisha, Alise (Bobby), Kaila, Shanta, Deja’, Jia (Emanuel), Elijah, Jacob, Keaira, Ava, Arden, Dylan, Katlyn, Lillianna, Tayah, Maci-Jo, Quincy, Rees, Henry Jr., Aniyah, Sofia, Spencer, Sola, Jamyah, Alyssa, Kylece, Daneshia; four great greatgrandchildren, Raphael, Gabriel, Nalah, Joshua; one daughter-in-law, Claudette (Verdale); three special daughters, Debra Lane, Terri Brinkerhoff and Margaret “Peggy” Petty; three special sons, Louis Fletcher, Aaron Lee Wheeler and Paul Thomas and a multitude of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Marcella’s beautiful spirit of life will be forever cherished in all the lives that she affected.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marcella Lucille Benson, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.