Brenda Benson Ewart

Brenda Benson Ewart, age 78, of Sylva, NC, passed away on Saturday, December 27th, 2025, peacefully at her home.

Brenda was born on April 27th 1947 in Arab, Alabama to Ellen and Orban Benson. Brenda was known for her strong work ethic, personality and sense of humor. She was a business owner running Brenda’s Mini Mart in Cullowhee where she had a great time cutting up with the college kids and customers. Later she operated Hooper’s Snack Bar where she loved spending her days chatting with the locals and serving up her latest homemade dessert.

Brenda was the greatest cook and making someone food was how she showed love. If you had the chance to eat her cooking then you certainly didn’t forget it! She also loved all the “critters” as she would call them. Animals were drawn to her and there wasn’t a cat or a dog that she could resist. Lastly, she loved her family and having the opportunity to be a mom and later a Granny, she would say were her greatest accomplishments.

Brenda is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Lee Ewart, her twins Steven Herren (Sarah) and Holli Hill (Rich), her beloved granddaughters, Harper, Lucy and Penny, two sisters, Linda Black and Evelyn Claborn, and her dog, Charlie. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Eddie Joe, Donald and Kenny Benson and sister Joyce Clemmons.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, December 31st at Appalachian Funeral home in Sylva, NC. The family will receive friends there from 12:00-1:00, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to ARF Humane Society of Jackson County North Carolina, 84 Green Energy Park Rd Sylva, NC 28779 in Brenda Ewart’s name.