Obituary for Norma Y. Benson
Norma Y. Benson, 89, of St. Augustine and formerly of Palatka, passed from this life on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine. She was born in 1930 in McGehee, Arkansas to Wayne and Nadine Arnold Young. As a child she enjoyed riding horses with her Dad and tap-dance performing. It was as a freshman college cheerleader she met the handsome football quarterback, Craig Benson. They were married 62 years. During those years and while teaching high school physical education and directing the Palatka High School cheerleaders, Norma was involved with fund raising for the Palatka Junior Women and was named 1963 Club Woman of the Year and honored with the 1964 Service Award. She was hostess for the WUFT-TV Program, Community Affairs, 1959-1960, chairman of the Putnam County Fund Raising Association, 1962, member of the Board of Directors, Putnam County United Way Fund Drive, 1963; chairman of the Putnam County Heart Drive, 1964, member of the Board of Directors, University of Florida Alumni Association of Putnam County, 1974-1975; member of the University of Florida Alumni Association 1974-1981 and member of the Board of Directors, Arthritis Foundation, Florida Chapter, NE Branch for several years. The aforementioned activities are only a short listing of Norma’s many endeavors in service to her community.
She was most proud of her accomplishments as Director of Adult Fitness at Putnam Community Hospital. During her tenure, she wrote a proposal and was awarded a grant from Wells Fargo. She presented scientific papers at numerous professional conferences; had articles published relating to physical activity and co-authored the book, Give us This Day, Our Daily Run.
Norma was an accomplished, well-respected and much-loved member of the Palatka community. The Bensons were members of the First Baptist Church of Palatka since their arrival in 1956.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Craig and her 2 sons, Kim and Shayne.
Norma is survived by her daughter, Shelley Clay, granddaughter, Heather Horne, great-grandchildren, Karah, Kolby and Keegan Horne and a sister, Joan Ingram.
No services are scheduled at this time. Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Norma’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
She was most proud of her accomplishments as Director of Adult Fitness at Putnam Community Hospital. During her tenure, she wrote a proposal and was awarded a grant from Wells Fargo. She presented scientific papers at numerous professional conferences; had articles published relating to physical activity and co-authored the book, Give us This Day, Our Daily Run.
Norma was an accomplished, well-respected and much-loved member of the Palatka community. The Bensons were members of the First Baptist Church of Palatka since their arrival in 1956.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Craig and her 2 sons, Kim and Shayne.
Norma is survived by her daughter, Shelley Clay, granddaughter, Heather Horne, great-grandchildren, Karah, Kolby and Keegan Horne and a sister, Joan Ingram.
No services are scheduled at this time. Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Norma’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.