Jackie Lucille (Brown) Benham, age 92 of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Greeley, CO passed away March 20th after a three-month battle with cancer. 

Jackie was born on August 28, 1932 in Lincoln, Nebraska while her parents were temporarily there on the wheat harvest.  She was one of 12 children of Robert and Esta Bates. The family lived in Portales, NM until she was in the 9th grade when they moved to Shafter, California for a year and then back to Portales.  She married Arlin Brown on December 23, 1949.  Shortly after, Arlin began teaching in Creede, CO where Rena and Marna were born.  In 1956 they moved to Gunnison, CO so Jackie could go to Western State College and Arlin could teach.  When Jackie graduated with an education degree both Jackie and Arlin got jobs teaching in El Centro, CA.  After two years they moved to Banning, CA and after another two years they moved back to El Centro.  In 1967 they moved to Greeley, CO so Arlin could work on a doctorate degree and Jackie a masters degree.  They remained in Greeley where Jackie taught in District 6 and Arlin at Aims Community College until they retired.  Arlin died in 2001 and shortly after Jackie moved to Mesa, Arizona where she began teaching again for a couple of years.  She met Robert Benham and they were married in June of 2003 and were happily married for almost 19 years before he died in January of 2022. 

Jackie was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ for her entire life and was a member of Westview Church of Christ in Greeley and Sun Valley Church of Christ in Mesa.  She demonstrated her love for God by the love and caring she showed for her family and friends.  She especially loved her grandchildren and greatly desired that they shared her faith in God.

Jackie is survived by three siblings; Jerry Bates, Pat Melcher, Rona Fort, two daughters; Rena Sebold (Steve), Marna Abbott (Rob) and by Bob’s daughters; Barb Raupp (Tom) and Nancy Nelson (Darwin) and son Brian Benham.  She is also survived by 10 grandchildren; Janae Naber (Bret), Jama Grafe (Rick), Wesley Kirkpatrick (Jonelle), Jeri Roberts (Will), Ryan Kirkpatrick (Ann Marie), Ian Sebold, Erik Sebold, Ciara Abbott (Jake), Britten Abbott (Michelle), and Eric Abbott (Bekah).  Her several great grandchildren include Jack and Ruby Naber, Fiona Kirkpatrick, Owen and Ansel Kirkpatrick, Karena and Caleb Grafe, Evan Roberts, and Brayden Abbott. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Arlin Brown and Robert Benham.  She will be deeply missed by all. 

"Memorial gift may be made to Healing Hands International – www.hhi.org