May Merritt Benson, 73, of Waynesville passed away at home on Oct. 30 from cancer. Her husband and daughters were by her side.
Born in 1947 to Ben Gilbert and Ella May Merritt in Wilmington, North Carolina, May later grew up in Concord, North Carolina. She graduated from Coker College and married her high school sweetheart, Karl Rickert Benson, Jr., in 1969. May and Rick’s life together took them to North Carolina, New Jersey, Illinois, New York and Texas. Along each stop, May’s inherent joy and love of life and of people allowed them to make numerous lifelong friends.
In addition to her parents, May was preceded in death by her brother, Benjamin Gilbert Merritt, Jr.
May is survived by her devoted husband Rick; her two daughters, Janet Benson Forville (Bret) and Merritt Benson Ulman (Patrick); grandchildren Bennett and Everett Forville and Ellamay and Keller Ulman; mother-in-law Betty Benson Sweet; sisters-in-law Loretta Benson Peterson (Bruce) and Elizabeth Whitefield Merritt; and countless friends.
A celebration of life will be held in the spring or summer of 2021.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lake Hills Church, 370 Lake Dr., Candler, NC 28715.
Smoky Mountain Cremations and Funeral Service of Clyde is caring for the family and the online register is available at www.smokymountaincremations.com.