Frances Sarah Land Bennington

Frances Sarah Land Bennington, 93, of Roanoke passed away Monday, July 24, 2023. She was a daughter of the late Charles and Callie Land. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 71 years, Elroy F. Bennington, Sr.; brothers and sisters, Charles “Prune” Land, Alton “Babe” Land, Ray Land, William “Bobtail” Land, Mildred “Chris” Hall, Evelyn “Jinkie” Grubb; great-granddaughter, Jacqueline Ferrell Bennington; great-grandson, Asher John Sipes; numerous other family members, as well as special niece and friend, Penny Robertson.Frances will be remembered for her love of family, incredible faith in God, encouragement to others and sense of humor. She often said she took the word “worry” out of her dictionary. People described her as the most positive person they had ever met. She always found something good in every situation and you couldn’t pay her to complain. She was always excited to see her grandkids, whether for a few hours or a week at a time. She and Elroy would prepare food, crafts and games for the weekly summer visits with Trev, Summer, and Whitney. As they grew older, Trev would often stop in for a surprise visit. She loved watching Gary, Gary Wayne, & Scott play baseball…and as the years went on she became a National’s fan. She often spoke of the players like they were family members. Mona even brought back a few souvenirs from a Nats game that she proudly displayed in her living room. She loved to listen to the News & weather and kept all of us up to date as to storms…even if they were across the USA. She enjoyed looking out her window and loved the birds, green grass, blue sky, clouds, rain & snow. She kept hoping for snow and in mid - March, God blessed her with just enough snow for Scarlet to bring some snow inside and let her make a snowman in her bed at SpringTree. She enjoyed KFC and hot dogs and was surprised a number of times by friends & family showing up with one or the other. Benny & Lisa would show up with musical animals which she loved to show to anyone who stopped by her house…playing them all at the same time! She was fascinated with Lisa’s pretty nails. Years ago, Larry & Carol gave her a sign that became her motto: “While waiting for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain”. She also loved her Church Family and enjoyed listening to Monte play “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” on the Sax, and Matthew play “Go Tell It On The Mountain” with his banjo. She loved getting cards as well as sending them. You knew when a card in the mail was from her…she would have “God loves you” written on the back of the envelope…even on bills. Several of her favorite scriptures were Matthew 6:25-34, John 3:16, Psalm 23, and Psalm 118:24.Surviving to cherish her memory are her children, Elroy F. Jr. “Benny” Bennington (Lisa); daughter, Scarlet Fitzgerald (Gary); grandchildren, Trev Bennington (Michele Wiley), Summer Sipes (Andy), Whitney Bennington, Gary Wayne Fitzgerald (Shannon), Scott Fitzgerald (Lauren), and Julie Bennington; great-grandchildren, Abby Bennington, Ethan, Gabe, Jadon and Selah Grace Sipes; Sister-in-law Nancy, special nieces and nephews who visited and stayed in touch with her in her final months Becky, Mona, Sue,(and her dog Bella), Brenda, Sandy, Joyce, Skip, Dickie, Judy, Connie and Bucky; as well as other nieces and nephews; special devoted friends who stuck by her side until the end Kim, Jennie, Ronnie, Patty, Dot, Cindy, Bo, Vicki, Alyson, Wanda, Cecil. Special neighbors Baldimer & Pat, as well as friends & helpers, Jim and Helen; Jeanne, Diane and Nancy and the Homebound Ministry Team @FBC, Men on Mission @MPBC, Larry and the Men’s Prayer Breakfast Members; Spring Tree Friends Bonnie, Margie, Juilio and Gary and the staff at Spring Tree Health and Rehab especially Daja; the Meals on Wheels volunteer, and the neighborhood cat, Adolf.The family will receive friends 4 to 7 pm, Thursday, July 27, 2023 at Lotz Funeral Home, 1001 Franklin Road, Roanoke. A graveside service will be held at 11 am, Friday, July 28 at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens with Pastor Eric Spano officiating. (you might want to wear shorts and bring a lawn chair…it’s supposed to be a hot day~just like she liked to keep her house) Online condolences may be made at www.lotzfuneralhomeroanoke.com