Pauline Ellouise Ward Benton, 93, died Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at the Frene Valley Home in Hermann, Mo. Pauline was born July 7, 1910 in Eminence. She was the daughter of the late Elmer Jackson and Olive Emily Ward, and was the second oldest of six children: three brothers; Richard Elmer Ward, John Chilton Ward, Robert Lee Ward; two sisters, Madeline Faye Baltz and Violet Frances Gates Clark. All of her siblings are deceased. Pauline and William Avery Benton were married October 6, 1928 in Ava, Mo. Her husband preceded her in death. Survivors include: three daughters; Marlane Benton Adams, Judith Benton-Klinger and her husband John, Janet Benton Propp and her husband Dale; son, James Avery Benton and step-son William Max Benton. She is so greatly loved and survived by 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. During her years of marriage to William Avery Benton Adams, they moved over 100 times to many states and cities. She was always a willing and supportive partner. She loved to reminisce about the many interesting places they had lived. She never had any regrets about their life-style experiences. She was a devoted mother, always making an immaculate home with delicious food, welcome to all. She encouraged her children to participate in music, scouts and sports. Her grandchildren received this same love and devotion. Pauline was a lifelong member of EminenceMethodistChurch. She read her Bible daily, loved reading poetry and was a word-smith and a lover of well turned phrases, which is attested in her scrapbook that is filled with clippings of beautiful phrases and articles. Pauline, at age 92, was chosen by FreneValleyCenter as their contestant to represent them in a pageant in St. Louis, Mo., the Missouri Healthcare Association's event, "Nursing Home Beauty is Ageless." Entrants were from nursing homes throughout Missouri. FreneValley's staff said they selected Pauline because of her inner beauty as well as her outward beauty, and also for her gracious manners, sweet disposition and her wonderful sense of humor. Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 27 at Duncan Funeral Home in Eminence. Visitation for family was from 10 to 10:30 a.m., visitors from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., and service at 11:30 a.m. Pallbearers were her grandsons, Mark Drewel, Tom Lynch, Glen Adams, Kevin Graham, Greg Eck, Donald Benton and Bill Benton. Rev. James Doyle officiated. Paul Faulkenberry was organist and soloist. Burial was at NewEminenceCemetery. Donations may be made in memory of Pauline to EminenceMethodistChurch. [Courtesy of The Current Wave.]