Clarence Benard

Clarence Joseph Benard, Sr., 53 year-old, longtime Earlsboro resident passed from this life Sunday, March 2, 2008 at his home in Earlsboro, Oklahoma. He was born November 17, 1954 in Beaumont, Texas to parents Elmer Benard and Mary (Thompson) Benard.rnrnClarence graduated from Douglas School in Wewoka, Oklahoma. He married Veronica Anita Harris on June 3, 1977 in Spencer, Oklahoma. Clarence was also a member of Ware Chapel C.M.E. in Earlsboro, Oklahoma.rnrnClarence served in the United States National Guard from 1977 to 1982. He is also a former member of the Earlsboro Volunteer Fire Department. He worked for Wolverine in Shawnee, Oklahoma for 8 years then he worked for Exxon-Mobil for over 20 years retiring in October of 2005. Together he and his wife Veronica has owned and operated Tapps BBQ Restaurant in Earlsboro, Oklahoma. He also enjoyed spending his time fishing and hunting and being a shade tree mechanic, helping other people and he never met a stranger.rnrnClarence leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 30 years, Veronica Benard of the home. His mother, Mary Miles of Wewoka, Oklahoma, one son and daughter-in-law, Clarence Benard, Jr. and his wife Stacey of Earlsboro, Oklahoma. Two daughters and a son-in-law, Elisha Benard of Earlsboro, Oklahoma and Amber and her husband Ralph Davis of Earlsboro, Oklahoma.rnrnAlso surviving are three brothers, Fredrick Johnson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Wayne Miles of Wewoka, Oklahoma and Rodney Harris and his wife Glenda of Spencer, Oklahoma. Three sisters, Emma Jones of Wewoka, Oklahoma, Lawana Johnson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Anetta Johnson of Wewoka, Oklahoma.rnrnOther survivors include Veronica?s brother Maurice Harris and his wife Audrey of Shawnee, Oklahoma. Veronica?s two sisters, Irma Cheatham of Earlsboro, Oklahoma and Darlene Winrow of Earlsboro, Oklahoma also survive.rnrnFive grandchildren who were the apple of his eye also survive Clarence: Phenisha Benard Washburn; Kerri Benard; Martell Davis; Eli Benard and C.J. Benard.rnrnAlso surviving is a host of other family and dear friends.rnrnHis father Elmer Benard, his grandparents and his mother-in-law, Lucy Harris, precede Clarence in death. Clarence was also preceded in death by one sister-in-law, Charlene Berry in 2007.rnrnFuneral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 8, 2008 at the Earlsboro School Auditorium with Rev. James Grayson, Sr. officiating and Rev. L.C. White assisting. Interment will follow at Earlsboro Cemetery with military honors.rnrnOpen visitation will be held at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. (The family will be at the funeral home to receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday evening.)rnrnServices are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.rn Funeral Information: March 7, 2008, 11:00 AM