Submitted by

Vicki Ebert

Benny Enis Meade

Benny Enis Meade, age 89, died Feb. 27, 2008, at his home in Leesburg. Fla.
Ben was born May 6, 1918, in Rogers, Ark., the third of seven children to Ben and Eula Meade.
He is survived by his loving wife, June Elizabeth Young Meade; three sons, Donald Meade and wife Sharon of Alvin, Texas, Robert Meade and wife Christine of Leesburg, Fla., and Kenneth Meade and wife Kellie of Paia, Hawaii; five grandchildren; Ben Meade, Claire Meade Brooks, Elizabeth Meade Johnson, Jon Meade, and Kevin Meade; and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are five of his siblings, Fern Bruce of Tulsa, Dorothy Givens of Houston, Texas, Juanita Gillespie of Castro Valley, Calif., Chelcy Meade of Wichita, Kan., and Joy Thornbrough of Tulsa.
Ben grew up in Covington and graduated from Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa in 1939. He married June Elizabeth Young in 1941. Ben's career as an accountant led the family to live in Tulsa; Benton, La.; Magnolia, Ark.; and New Orleans, La. He was active in many community organizations throughout his life including the Masonic Lodge. He is a past master of Columbia Lodge in Magnolia, Arkansas and a perpetual member of the Masonic Blue Lodge in Ponca City. He was also an avid stamp and coin collector.
In 1979 he retired, and he and June moved to Ponca City, where Ben embarked on his second career of woodworking and clock making and repair. This labor of love produced many beautiful pieces of furniture and clocks of all sizes and styles that he generously shared with family and friends. Now, throughout his family members, our memory of Ben is rekindled each time one of his clocks strikes the hour.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at First United Methodist Church. Beyers Funeral Home in Leesburg, Fla., was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church or your local hospice organization.