Nannie Sue Hedden Benson

Johnson City, TN – Nannie Sue Hedden Benson, age 91, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2015, at Franklin Woods Community Hospital in Johnson City, TN. She was born in Hiawassee, GA to the late Jeff Hedden and Eula Mae Crawford Hedden of Sylva, NC. Sue lived in Western North Carolina for most of her life where she was a teacher for the North Carolina School System. Sue was of the United Methodist Faith. She moved to this area several years ago so her daughter could be more involved with her care. Sue loved the mountains, hiking to waterfalls, and noting wildflowers. She helped people, animals, and the earth. She would buy hamburgers for construction workers, write letters to military personnel, find homes for stray animals, and walk the dogs at the shelter. Sue loved to write poetry, essays, and stories. She collected extensive information regarding her family history. In addition to her parents, Sue was preceded in death by her former spouse and the father of her children, Reverend Clark William Benson; and her brother, Joe Crawford Hedden. She is survived by her son, Clark William Benson, II and his former wife Patricia of Pfafftown, NC; daughter, Susan Benson Westfall and husband William of Bristol, VA; two grandchildren, Matthew Westfall and Michelle Westfall and husband Quinn Eppley; first cousin, Betsy Crawford Goldtrap; sister in Christ, Elaine Price; and “soul mate”, Kevin Shauncady. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2015 at Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 224 Midway Drive, Bristol, TN, with Pastor Andy Moehn officiating. Visitation with the family will be held 1-2 p.m. prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to UMCOR World Hunger at www.umcor.org, or to Holly Help Memorial Spay & Neuter Fund, P.O. Box 1264, Bristol, VA 24303. Those wishing to share memories and express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com . The family of Nannie Sue Hedden Benson is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).