Mrs. Ronea Lee Benson

BENSON, Mrs. Ronea Lee - Age 93, passed away Friday, August 22, 2025, at Charter Senior Living. Family hour 11:00 AM Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, G-5443 N. Saginaw St., with funeral service commencing at 12:00 PM, Pastor Patrick Sanders II, officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church at 11:00 AM. Mrs. Benson will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 1:00 PM-6:00 PM Friday, with family present to received friends from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. Mrs. Ronea Lee. Benson, affectionately known as “Lee” and “Auntie” was born on May 20, 1932, in Crawford, Mississippi, the daughter of the late L.T. Malone and the late Ronea Withlow, departing this life on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Charter Senior Living of Stepping Stones Fall. Ronea was the fifth child of six children and accepted Christ at an early age. After moving to Flint, Michigan she joined the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and was an active member of the former Senior Usher Board. Ronea retired after many, many years of service as the Head Cook at New Paths Inc. in Flint. She also worked as a cook with the Kitchen Committee for many years at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. Ronea was a superb cook and was known for her delicious egg pies, cornbread dressing, macaroni and cheese, and her homemade cakes. She enjoyed sharing her gift as a cook with countess family and friends. Her joys included cooking, game shows, going to the casinos, watching movies, playing cards (some of her favorites were Pitty Pat, Spades, and Tonk). Ronea also loved spending time with family and friends, especially all the holidays and making those around her laugh. Mrs. Ronea L. Benson leaves to cherish her memories: 3 grandsons, Derick D. Lewis of Lewisburg, TN, Willie E. Tolon III of Burton, MI and Emmanuel D. Tolon of Flint MI; 4 granddaughters, Season Gist of Flint, MI , Naamah, Michal, and Kezia Tolon, all of Knoxville, TN; 10 great-grandchildren, Darius and Brionna Lewis, Genesis and Trinity Tolon, Jasmine, Tierra, Majeed and India Smith, Zyloniah and Diallo Gist; 2 great-great children; sister, Hattie Hairston of Flint Township, MI; brother, LeRoy Malone of Columbus, MS; god-daughter, Jeanette Orr; numerous nieces and nephews, and many cousins and friends survive, including her special friends, Joann and Elaine. Ronea was preceded in death by her sons, John Tolon and Willie Emanuel Tolon, Jr.; grandson, Emanuel Tolon; parents, L.T. and Ronea Malone; sisters, Lucy Ann Malone and Augusta Brown; brother, John “Bro” Malone. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Charter Senior Living staff, The Hospice Care Team, McLaren Hospital and Hurley Hospital doctors and staff, Pastor Patrick W. Sanders and the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and a heartfelt, thank you to her dedicated nieces and caregivers, Sherry Moore and Gwendolyn Hicks and the staff of the Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home.

Mrs. Ronea Lee Benson

May 20, 1932 - August 22, 2025