Benita Honaker

Benita was born on December 12, 1936, in West Frankfort, Illinois. She was the daughter of Benjamin “Benny” Brothers and Helen Brothers (Clouser) of Zigler, Illinois, where she grew up and attended First Baptist Church.

Benita dedicated her life to service, faith, and family. She earned a three-year nursing diploma from Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. After working several years in Illinois, she traveled to Hawaii to pursue public health studies, earning a Master of Public Health degree.

Upon graduation, Benita commissioned in the United States Air Force, where she served honorably as a nurse for 22 years. She retired in 1992 with the rank of Colonel in the Air Force Medical Corps.

On July 1, 1989, Benita married Richard Honaker. Together, they built a life rooted in faith and service, later serving as medical missionaries in South Africa with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. They shared 36 years and six months of marriage. Both Benita and Richard retired from the United States Air Force as Colonels and remained devoted to ministry and service throughout their lives.

Benita was blessed with six loving children: Richard (Rick) Honaker of Phoenix, Arizona; Marita and Scott Willis of Sedalia, Missouri; Marketa and Tim Southerland of Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean; Maria and Jim Allen of Valparaiso, Florida; Monica Dabbs of Niceville, Florida; and John Honaker of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was also blessed with twenty-eight grandchildren and thirty great-grandchildren.

While living in Florida, Benita attended Generations United Church in Niceville, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin (Benny) Brothers and Helen Clouser Brothers.

Benita will be remembered for her unwavering faith, compassionate heart, distinguished military service, and deep love for her family.

Visitation will be 9am Saturday, January 3, 2025 at Bill Merritt Funeral Service with funeral to follow at 10am. She will be laid to rest at Red Hill Cemetery in Hammon, Oklahoma, with Full Military Honors rendered by the United States Air Force.