Helen Louise Benson, 81, of Sunrise Beach, Mo., passed away Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008, at her home. 
She was born Nov.1, 1926, in Malden, Mo., the daughter of the late Archie Joseph and Myrtle Masters Joyner.
On Dec. 20, 1977, in Sunrise Beach, she was united in marriage with Rutherford Benson, who preceded her in death.
Helen was one of the founders of the S.T.A.F.F. Animal Shelter in Laurie, Mo., and enjoyed volunteering there. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening and fishing.
She is survived by one son, Michael Stone of Sunrise Beach; three daughters, Venita Burchell of Sunrise Beach, and Charlotte Roark and Helen Wilson both of Independence, Mo.; six grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild on the way.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Billy Joe Joyner, Bobbie Lee Joyner, and Joe Joyner; and four sisters, Emma Louis, Venita Lubbers, Etta Joyner, and Jewel Louis.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel. Interment will follow in the Greenmore Memorial Gardens in Barnett. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Helen Louise Benson Memorial Fund. Expressions of sympathy may be left online at www.kidwellgarber.com. 
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel.