Therese Atkinson Benson

Therese Atkinson Benson, 73 of Valdese, NC died peacefully Tuesday, May 29, 2012. She was born in Grant County, IN on February 22, 1939 and was a daughter of the late Gail Atkinson and Dorothy Dudley Atkinson. Therese was a Registered Nurse for 25 years at Grace Hospital and was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and sister.Surviving are children, Kim Birchum and husband Jammy of Drexel, Kevin Benson and wife, Susie of Columbia City, IN, Kristi Bordelon and husband, Brent of Charlotte, NC, Kelly Benson and wife, Shirley of Drexel, NC, Kirk Benson and wife, Marcia, Kip Benson and wife, Leslie, Korey Benson and wife Angie all of Morganton; grandchildren, Jeremiah Birchum, Jessica Birchum, Jared Birchum, Jamison Birchum, Kevin Benson, Jennifer Ibarro, Lisa Benson, Sarah Bordelon, Matthew Bordelon, Michael Benson, Melissa Taylor, Jacob Benson, Kyle Benson, Bradley Benson, Olivia Benson, Katherine Benson, Andrew Benson, Ashleigh Benson, Amy Benson, Amanda Benson, Abigail Benson; 15 great grandchildren; siblings, Sharel Zelenka and husband, Joe of Indianapolis, IN, Jim Atkinson and wife, Penny of Mooresville, NC, Gaylene Smith and husband, Dick of Marion, IN, Cork Atkinson and wife, Pam of Gas City, IN, Gary Atkinson and wife, June of Bremen, GA, Rita Duncan and husband, Bill of Marion, IN and many, many other family members.In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a grandson, Adam Benson.The Funeral Liturgy will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 2, 2012, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church with Rev. Mr. John Martino officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 728 W. Union St., Morganton, NC 28655 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P. O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.