Susan Jamail Benes

Susan Jamail Benes was born on December 12th, 1944 to Mikal Emile Jamail and Bernice McGlathery Jamail. She grew up in West University place with her brother, Monsignor Michael Jamail. Susie attended Bellaire High School, graduating in 1962. In 1963 she married Joseph Benes, who was a student at Texas A&M University. After having briefly attended Sam Houston State University, she transferred to Texas A&M University becoming a part of their first ever class of co-eds. She eventually graduated from University of Houston with a degree in Psychology. After college, Susie and Jody, settled in Richmond, Texas where they raised their three children. The joy of her life was her children, Cindy, Debbi, and Michael. She enjoyed attending their plays, sporting events, recitals, and other activities.

The other joy in her life was her big brother, Michael, whom she called Bubba, as do most who know him. He was ten years her senior, and adored Susie, taking her everywhere with him. He was a role model and confidante to Susie, especially after they lost their parents. Michael was ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Beaumont, where he is the vicar general. The bond they formed as children only grew stronger over time. Father Jamail remains an active priest to this day, committed to a life of service for others.

Susie was an active member of St. John's United Methodist Church in Richmond TX serving as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader and active on several boards and committees. She was a professed Christian with a strong faith and belief in Jesus Christ as her savior. Susie was loved by everyone who knew her. She lit up a room when she entered it. Her combination of encouragement, empathy, listening skills, self- deprecation and humor drew everyone to her. She always made you feel like you were her top priority, and she never met a stranger.

In 1979 Susie went to work at what would become the Fort Bend Family Health Center. When she joined the health clinic she brought creativity, insight, intelligence and loving care to those in need. Together with two friends, Lynda Bible and Karen Hall, she developed innovative projects providing high quality healthcare to uninsured people in Fort Bend County. It was there that she found a passion for serving the needs of low income families in her community. Her many roles included helping to start the WIC program and helping to direct the health clinic as it grew into a multiple facility operation and a model for community health in the state of Texas and around the U.S.

Lynda Bible became one of her lifelong best friends. This relationship that was shared over a love of fishing and a passion for helping those in need lasted over 30 years and was built on loyalty and mutual respect. The Benes children consider Lynda to be part of their family. Lynda, along with Susie’s sisters-in-law and lifelong friends, Judy Poston and Betty Hill, formed the Golden Grannies. These fun-loving, independent women, traveled together seeing almost every region of the US, including their most recent adventure in Hawaii this past September. They also visited England, France, Italy, Belize, and other ports of call. Judy and Betty and all of the Benes clan were Susie’s second family for life.

In 1992 Susie became Susu when her first grandchild, Mills Stewart, was born. After that her passion became her grandchildren. She loved them each equally and uniquely and they worshipped her, never missing an opportunity to see her. She was their friend, mentor, listener and confidante. It wasn’t just her grandchildren, her children, children’s friends, grandchildren’s friends, and Lynda’s grandchildren would always be excited to spend quality time with ‘their’ Susu.

After living in Houston and Richmond for most of her life Susie moved to Palacios, Texas for the last few years with her friend Lynda who had built her dream home close to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. They have spent their time at the “Creaky Acres” bird watching, fishing, cooking, and entertaining friends and family. When she wasn’t in Palacios or traveling the world she took turns house-hopping between her

three children’s homes. They often teased one another about who got to see her the most. She was that kind of mother and grandmother. There are not words enough to express how deeply she will be missed. She was the light that lit up every room.

Susie is survived by her brother Father Jamail, daughter Cindy Witmer Olrik and her husband Lars Olrik, daughter Debbi Salls and husband Kim Salls, son Michael Joseph Benes and his wife Laura Benes, grandchildren Mills Stewart, William and Hope Witmer, Iris and Philip Salls, and Charlotte and Michael Benes. Also all of the Benes family including Joe, Judy, Betty and Donnie as well as many, many other friends and extended family.

A visitation will be held Thursday, October 25, 5-7 pm at the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home at 13001 Katy Freeway. A burial and committal ceremony will be held Friday, October 26 at 10 am at the Forest Park Lawndale Funeral home, 6900 Lawndale St. The memorial service will be held Friday, October 26 at 2 pm at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to First Book at [email protected] or City by the Sea museum at citybytheseamuseum.org/donate.html.