Vernia Mae Miller Benoit, 92, passed away on Oct. 8, 2024, in Lake Charles, La. She was born on May 23, 1932, in Grand Chenier, La., to Dorcelien and Eleanor Duhon Miller.

Vernia graduated from Grand Chenier High School in 1950. She graduated from McNeese State University in 1952 where she was honored as Homecoming Queen, and where she met her future husband, Frank Benoit. She retired after 17 years with the Calcasieu Parish School Board, where she served as Elementary School and Special Education Teacher.

Vernia was a Catholic woman, strong in her faith and a proud American. She loved cooking Sunday dinners for her family and anyone else who happened to show up, everyone was always welcome at her table. She took special care to know all of her children’s friends and their favorite meals, creating a sense of home for everyone.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Vicki Broussard, Frank S. Benoit Jr., and Mary Catherine “Cathy” McFarland (Charles “Buddy”); her grandchildren, Bryan Dartez (Merissa), Tony Benoit, Mandy Taylor (Micha Wells), Jonathan Benoit, Marianna Thompson (Jordan), and Charles McFarland III (Rachel); her great-grandchildren, Bryce Dartez (Elizabeth), Luca Reese, Analise, Declan, Finnion, and Josephine Benoit, Zachary Charles, Clinton Saul, and Marielle Mae Taylor, Bentley Benoit, Brooks and Reed Thompson, and Austyn, Grayson, and Charles McFarland IV, and her step-grandchildren, C.J. Meaux, Madison Leger, and Dani and Levi Wells.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank Saverio Benoit Sr.; her son, Richard Benoit; her daughters, Debbie Benoit Poe, and Brenda Benoit; her grandson, Brandon Taylor, and her sisters, Helen Gibson, and Hazel LaBove.

Her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel of Lake Charles. Father Keith Pellerin will serve as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Prien Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.

Visitation will begin on Thursday evening at 4 p.m. at the funeral home and continue until 7 p.m., with a rosary being recited at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume on Friday morning at 9 a.m. and continue until the start of the service at 11 a.m.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.johnsonfuneral home.net.