Shelia Benn

Shelia Evangeline Benn, age 78, of McAlester, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the McAlester Region Health Center. Shelia was born on Monday, June 24, 1946, to Alfred Durant Benn and Jessie Ovehillia Bacon in Mena, Arkansas.

Shelia was a vibrant, loving soul whose deep spirituality and connection to the earth touched the lives of everyone she met. With a heart full of wisdom and a mind full of remedies, she always had a natural cure for whatever ailed you, body or soul. Fiercely independent and full of grit, Sheila lived by the belief that "you get what you give" and embodied that with unwavering strength and compassion. Her family was her greatest treasure, and she would go to any length to care for them. Whether helping a loved one, guiding a stranger, or pulling someone from a burning building during her time with the Grass Valley, California Volunteer Fire Department, Sheila was always serving others. She proudly became the first female firefighter in the department, eventually earning the rank of captain—a true trailblazer. She was an incredible cook, known especially for her fried pork chops, and found peace in her garden where she grew beauty with her own two hands. Raised in the era of rock and roll, she carried its spirit of peace, love, and joy with her always, especially through her love of live music. Shelia was a force of nature, a woman of strength and grace, and her legacy will live on in the lives she touched and the love she gave so freely.

Shelia is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Harlon Grant and Earon Jo Patrick; her sister LaDonna Jones.

Shelia is survived by her daughters, LaCreta Harrison and Atiya Ward; her brother, Terry Patrick; her sister, Tawana Graham, her grandchildren, Chad Hyman, Carson Tipton, Arian Ludlow, Elias Hewitt, Jessamyn Lowman and, Teagan Ward; her great-grandchildren, Parker Hyman, Jordan Tipton, and Baylor Jade Tipton and Aunt LaFonda Benn.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. at Smithville Community Center. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.

Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh.com

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