Donnie Essie Evans Cronan, 92, a life long resident of Benton, passed away Wednesday, August 13, 2008 in a local hospital.  She was the oldest member of Oak Grove Baptist Church.  She was the daughter of the late Jules Evans and Margaret Lillard Evans and was also preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill) E. Cronan; son, Harry Culpepper; two brothers, L.B. Evans and Jimmy Evans and one sister, Anna Stone.

She is survived by her three grandchildren and spouses:  Mellodee and Marvin Johnson of Benton, Mattie Marie and Thomas Barnett of Rome, GA and Dennis Newton and Lori Culpepper of GA; great-grandchildren, Tom and Beth Dobson and Casey and Ashley Dobson all of Benton; six great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Nancy Green of Benton; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services were conducted at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 14, in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home with Reverend Jasper Woody officiating. Graveside services were held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 15, at the Oak Grove Cemetery with a white dove release ceremony concluding the service.