Jacqualyn Bernice Benton, 86, of Gainesville, MO, passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023. She was born on February 19, 1937, in Kansas City, MO, to Levester and Bernice (Anderson) Gay.

Jacqualyn was a life-long Salina resident. After retiring after many years as a bank teller, she took over at Benton’s café with her husband, Bennie. She was very active in her church community and loved to sing to her grandkids and loved cooking, making the best soul food. She wasn’t able to have her own children, but with a lot of love to give she accumulated many through the years.

Survivors include her daughters, Latasha Ellison and Michele Humphrey, of Salina; grandchildren, Nalo Bishop, Ariana Benton, Davon Benton, and Aaden Ellison; great-grandchildren, Dominick Benton and Narayah Benton-Bishop; and siblings, Jack Gay (Gwen) of Bakersfield, CA, and Carnez Canada of Wichita, KS; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bennie Benton Jr.; brother, Levester Gay Jr.; and sisters, Najol Gay and Oneita Parker.

A graveside funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 1, 2023, at Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina.

Memorials may be made in Jacqualyn’s honor to the Central Kansas Mental Health Center in Salina, care of Ryan Mortuary, Salina.