Lelia Ann Benjamin

Lelia (Ann) was born December 21, 1947 in Washington DC to the late Hobart and Reva Murrill. She was the youngest of two daughters, her sister Slyvia preceding her in death.

Ann graduated High School in 1965 from Immaculate Conception Academy and immediately began working for the CIA as a GS3 records clerk. After her job with the CIA, she went to a professional school to study court reporting, she quickly realized this was not the career for her. She returned to the Federal Government in the Department of Education. She went on to become a program analyst and eventually an education program specialist in the Office of Educational Research and Improvement retiring from the Dept. of Education in 1998 as a GS14. Along the way, she received a BA in psychology from Federal City College (1974) and an M.S. degree in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University (1994).

Ann was married to Bradley Benjamin and was a devoted, supportive and loving mother to two sons, David Brian Benjamin and Akil Shomari Benjamin. In efforts to provide the most nourishing environment for her sons, she moved from Washington DC to Columbia, SC, back to Burtonsville, MD and ultimately to laying down roots in Columbia, MD where she entrenched herself within the community.

On any given day, you would find Ann spending time with her ushering for Arena Stage, being a docent with the Baltimore Museum of Art, leading a discussion at the local 50plus community center, attending her Tai Chi class or engaging in community events with her Sorors from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc or enjoying a good meal at one her favorite local restaurants.

If you had the pleasure of knowing Ann, you can rest assured that it would have been difficult forgetting her beautiful smile, kind heart and knowing wisdom which she shared with many friends and loved ones.

Ann leaves to cherish her memory, her sons David and Akil Benjamin, Daughter in laws Linda Benjamin and Tameka Thomas, grandchildren, Arianna, Michael, Thomas, Teigan and Madeleine, niece Janet Hawkins, nephew Micheal Axum, Cousins June Middleton, Andina Keith, Alice Merrick and Dr. Lavinia Perkins: a host of other relatives and a circle of very special friends.

A receiving of friends for Lelia will be held Sunday, June 8, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Witzke Funeral Homes Inc., 5555 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 AM.