Mary Cecelia Benford

Mary Cecelia Benford of Providence, RI passed through this life on August 2, 2022 at 5:24 PM. She was 84 years old. She was the daughter to the late John & Annie Morrison (Speaks). She was also raised by her step-father, the late Napoleon “Nappy” Lambert. Mary was the devoted wife of Forrest Edward Benford (SnrChf/USN Ret.), & devoted loving mother of five sons: the late Forrest E. “Flint” Benford, Larock W. Benford (SgtMaj/USMC Ret.), Booker T. Benford, Craig D. Benford & Britt C. Benford.

She was a loving grandmother to Forrest, Marcus & Eric Brewton, Vincent & Joshua Wilcox, Kyle & Flint Benford, Jade Stoecklin, Anjelique & Brianna Cooley. She has several great grandchildren, De’lon, Chasidy, Chayson, Breyonna, Shalia, Marcus Jr, Deshaun, Paris, Marquan, Elias, Elleanna, Kasianya, Khelena, Calix, Kyle Jr, Kylie & Flint Jr. She also has 3 great-great grandchildren, Arielle, Zachary & Adonis. She leaves a host of nieces, nephews & great nieces & nephews, as well as many relatives & friends. Mary was preceded in death by her twin brother David C. Morrison, & other brothers Donald R. Morrison & Robert E. Speaks.

Mary loved playing cards, bingo, watching game shows, soap operas, Hallmark Movies, & going to the casino with relatives & friends. Affectionately known as “Aunt Sister, Sister, or Miss B”, she was an aunt, cousin, & friend to many, whether it was at the Hartford Ave Projects, Great Lakes/N. Chicago, IL, Brighton St, Potters Ave, or the Colony House. Mary was well-known for her cooking; especially, fried chicken & baked pies. She opened her home to all that needed a place to stay. She was the Matriarch of the Johnson/Speaks/Jordan/Spiver-Family & the McCormack’s Pub/Hartford Park Reunion-Family. The 2nd Mom to many, Mary was a compassionate, loving, caring, selfless & special person that will be missed. May she Rest-in-Peace.

Special acknowledgment to her best friend Katherine Petersen, close friend Miss Elaine Dugan, cousins Barbara E. Goode & Lorraine DeCosta, her Goddaughter Mary Cecelia Wilcox, Donald Morrison, Marie Woods-Benford, Nancy Speaks, Glenda Johnson-Jordan, Donald Johnson, Valeri Johnson, Maggie Speaks, Cheryl Morrison-Brewton, Harry Morrison, Leroy Hie, Irma Rodriquez, Jacqueline Pompey, Joel Mitchell, Tiondra Rollins, Alicia Wilcox, Alethia & Aleena Johnson, Douglas Johnson, Dennis Jordan, Christine Cooley, Denise Johari Holder, John Dugan, Byron Blackmar, Marilyn Gallucci (Rivera), Stephen Brunetti, David Rivera, the Benford/Forrest/Johnson/Vanes-Family, the Johnson/Speaks/Jordan/Spiver-Family, the McCormack’s Pub/Hartford Park Reunion-Family & Friends & her grandson Vincent Wilcox, who took care of her.

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