Erica Lynn Benson Smith

A memorial service will be held Friday, March 31, 2023, at 12:00 noon from McClain-Hays Chapel with Bro. Jason Martin, Bro. Randall Dunaway, and Bro. Darren Powell officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. on Friday until time of service. Ms. Smith, 42, of Philadelphia, died Saturday, March 25, 2023, at her home. Born and raised in Neshoba County, she later moved to Columbus, MS, and graduated from New Hope High School Class of 1998. She attended EMCC at Mayhew and graduated with an LPN degree in 2001. After moving back to Philadelphia, she dearly missed her Columbus friends. She loved to read and keep up with friends and family on social media. She loved to fish as a child with her daddy. Erica dearly loved her family, especially her children; and loved her two cats, Luna and CeCe. She was Pentecostal by faith. Survivors include her daughters, Brianna and Ashlynn Smith; mother, June Braddock and stepmother, Clara Benson, all of Philadelphia, MS; brother, Eron Benson (Michelle) of Madison, MS; several nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and their families. Preceding Ms. Smith in death were her father, Jasper Benson; grandparents, Ed and Marie Lovern, and James Howard and Doris Benson. In lieu of flowers family requests all memorials be made to McClain Hays Funeral Home to help defray funeral costs.