BOYKINS—Edna Ruth Brown Benton, died Nov. 11, 2007, at MCV Hospital in Richmond.

Mrs. Benton was born in Southampton County on Feb. 12, 1950.

She was educated in Southampton County Public Schools and graduated from cosmetology school in Murfreesboro, N.C.

She later moved with other family members to Washington, D.C.

There she enjoyed a career in retail and food service of at least 20 years.

Upon her return to Virginia, she continued her interest in food service by catering and eventually opened and owned Edna’s Kountry Kitchen in Boykins.

She was known for her ability to turn “lemons into lemonade” and her gift of being able to make a person laugh and her good food.

Survivors include her husband, Joe Sam Benton of Boykins; one daughter, Tameka Pope and husband Kenny; two sons, Antwon and Donnell Brown, all of Courtland; one stepson, Anthony Carter and wife Michelle of Washington, D.C.; six grandchildren, Shannon Brown, Malik Brown, Tyrek Brown, NyAshia Walden, Keyuna Pope and Samaria Brown; a very special aunt, Levy Mae Mason of Maryland; five sisters, Regina Brown, Teresa Brown, Sabrina Williams, Suzette Lewis and Mona Lisa Gary; two brothers, Tyrone Kee (Roclyn) and Lafayette Brown; sisters-in-law, Virginia Hill (Roosevelt), Louise Freeman and Edith Benton; brothers-in-law, Gary Benton (Valaida) and Larry Benton (Sharon); five nieces, Sharita Sykes, Shameka Saxton, Samantha and Mia Lewis and Tyshera Mason; nephews, JeVonne L. Gary, Jonathan Norris, Keith and Jason Lewis, Harold Dawson and Tyrel Pope; aunts, Lucy Bivings (Ezell), Gladys Harris (Paul), Alice Parker (Oliver)and Edna Wright (Willie); uncles, David Bynum (Susie), Nathaniel Bynum (Texanna), Ralph Bynum, Leon Walden (Delois), Alfred Walden (Beverley) and Gregory Olmo; and a host of many cousins and friends.

She goes to join in heavenly rest her son, Michael LaVon Brown; mother, Lois Brown-Kee; stepfather, Roosevelt Kee; father, Mark Brown; aunts, Lillian Richardson, Lucille Jordan, Launsaday Deloatch, Daisy Olmo and Shirlean Walker; uncles, Willie Bynum, Leroy Walden, Lorenzo Walden and Linburg Walden.

A funeral service was to be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Shiloh Baptist Church, Boykins. Interment was to follow in the church cemetery.

Family members are receiving friends and family at the home of Regina Brown in Branchville.

Engram Funeral Home, Franklin, was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial tributes may be made to Shiloh Baptist Church, Boykins, and Mount Tabor Baptist Church, Newsoms.