Rhoda Benson - Rhoda Ann Cox Benson, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on Sunday, August 26, 2007 in Houston, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents Charles Barrell and Mary Farquhar Cox and her brother Charles Barrell Cox, Jr. Her family appreciates all the support and expressions of love from her friends during her recent illness. She treasured her friendships. Rhoda was born in Galveston, Texas. Rhoda attended Austin High and the University of Texas, where she met Russell Barbour and they were married in 1947. After Russell's untimely death in 1957, she moved to Austin with three young sons in tow, and settled in Tarrytown, where she lived the rest of her life. In 1964, she married her sons' baseball coach, Stuart Benson. They shared their life together for the next 43 years in bliss and harmony. Rhoda spent most of her life in service to her family, friends, and community. Besides, the generous donations to all that were in need, she spent endless hours volunteering for various charities and organizations in the Austin area. Over a half a century, Rhoda worked with the Travis County Chapter for Cancer Research, the Junior League of Austin, Planned Parenthood of Travis County, the Republican Party of Texas, Seton Hospital, the Heart Hospital, Meals on Wheels, and most lastingly, the entity that funded the home for troubled youths, the Settlement Club in north Austin. Rhoda was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Rhoda was one of the founding board members of the local television station, KXAN, channel 36, in Austin. She was instrumental in the development of one of the first mobile video television units in the country, when she helped form Mobile Color Inc. in 1967. She and her husband, Stuart, were among the original backers of one of Austin's landmark restaurants, Fonda San Miguel. According to Tom Gilliland, the owner/manager of the establishment, Rhoda was "our best friend". She will be greatly missed by her family: Her husband, Stuart Benson of Austin, Texas; her sister Mary Cox Blyth of Scottsdale, Arizona; her sister-in-law Rosie Cox and family from Dallas, Texas; her sons and daughters-in-law, David and Lisa Barbour of Beaver Creek, Colorado; Larry and Carol Barbour of Houston, Texas; and, Peter Barbour of Johnson City, Texas; and her grandchildren, Baker, Brandy, Barrell, Charles, Mary, Blake and Benson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a contribution be made in Rhoda's name to her favorite charities: Alzheimer's Foundation, Greater Austin Chapter, 3420 Executive Center Dr. Suite 301, Austin, TX 78731, Settlement Home, 1600 Peyton Gin Road, Austin, TX 78758, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Road, Austin, TX 78703. A memorial service in her honor will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd on Friday at 2 pm, August 31, 2007, with a reception immediately following at the adjoining Parish Hall. We miss you, Gigi. God bless! Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com.