LuAnn King Benkendorfer

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, LuAnn King Benkendorfer. LuAnn was 91 years old.

LuAnn King was born in Hobbs, NM, raised in Houston where she graduated from Lamar High School. She went on to attend Baylor University. While at Baylor she met her husband, Don Benkendorfer, and was married on Oct 7, 1951.

After marriage, LuAnn and Don moved around the country, as Don served in the Air Force. They lived for brief periods in San Antonio, Florida, Massachusetts, California and Austin before settling back in Houston. Don and LuAnn had three children- Mary Katherine, Donald William, Jr. and Debra Ann.

She and Don moved to Mesquite in 1962 and lived there until 1984. While in Mesquite she worked in the Mesquite ISD, and they both were active members of Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church. In their last move before retirement, they moved to Ft Worth then Arlington, before retiring to the Lake Whitney and Waco area.

She lived in Waco until after Don’s passing and then moved to Mesquite to be closer to her children, where she lived the rest of her life.

LuAnn was a faithful and devoted follower of Jesus, serving as an example to her family and friends. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed singing in the church choir, cross-stitching, cooking, and caring for her family. The joy of her life was her sweetheart “Buddy”, her children and her grandchildren.

LuAnn was preceded in death by; brother Karl King, parents Gordon and Edna King, son Donald (Donny), and husband Don (Buddy).

She is survived by daughter Mary Katherine (Kathie) Hamm and her husband Bobby, daughter Debra Ann (Debby) Schmucker and her husband Jeff, and her favorite daughter-in-law Vickie Benkendorfer, as well as 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

LuAnn lived a full life, leaving behind many cherished memories. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

In memory of LuAnn, a donation can be made to “The Gideon International”.