Levita Benson (Smith)

Eva Levita Smith Benson 90, of Independence Missouri passed away on March 16, 2023. Levita was born May 13, 1932 in Pensacola, Florida to Evamae and Rembert Smith. Levita moved to St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 16 to live with her Aunt Lila and Uncle Tom Gough who she treasured as Mom and Pop.

Levita attended Graceland College in Lamoni Iowa in 1951 where she met Franklin Pierce Benson III. They were married on September 1, 1951 and shared that wedding date with Aunt Lila (Mom) and Uncle Tom (Pop). Together they lived in Augusta, Georgia and Fort Monmouth, New Jersey before going to Tacoma, Washington where they started a family. Oldest son Tom was born in Tacoma Washington. After Franks release from the army, Frank and Levita moved to Independence Missouri and made it their home. Once in Independence, Scott and Bruce were born into their family.

Levita was a homemaker for several years and very involved at church. She worked in the home with Better Selections, Inc., was part of the family business, Certified Meats, Inc., worked at the Neighborhood Councils office of Independence Missouri and for Herald House Publishing in Independence Missouri. She was also a member of the Young Matrons for over 50 years, worked with Knife and Fork, participated in the Japanese Sister City program, significant volunteer work and helped anyone and everyone she could. Levita’s favorite pastime was painting. Most of her paintings ended up in the homes of family and friends.

Levita was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 62 years Frank, her sisters Len Smith Herndon, Nita Smith Thompson and Janelle Smith McBee. Levita is survived by her brother, Reggie Smith of Seattle Washington, stepbrother, Tom Rewis of Germany and her three sons, Tom, Scott and his wife Rita and Bruce. Levita also had 18 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.