Ella Jane Benedict
March 13, 1934 to June 4, 2020

Ella began her life at Dr. Silks office in Orleans, CA, to David Henery Drake and Lonnie (Snapp) Drake. She was raised in Somes Bar near the Salmon River. She graduated from Junction Elementary School in Somes Bar, moved to Los Angeles with sisters, and attended Belmont High School. She began her X Ray technician career at an early age. She worked for many doctors in Los Angeles. She moved to Hoopa in the 1980’s and worked at the old hospital which became K’ima:w Medical Center. She loved camping and panning for gold on the Salmon River. She loved her horses and gardening.

Ella was preceded in death by her children John, Tamara, and Sharon Benedict, her mother Lonnie (Snapp) Drake, her father David Henery Drake, sisters Helen (Drake) Beck and Ethel (Drake) Halla.

Ella leaves behind her sisters Zona (Drake) Ferris, Betty (Drake) Bacock, Shirley (Drake) Bates, Beverly Drake (Doyle Bradshaw), and brother David Hiram Drake, The High Plains Drifter. She is survived by her sons Paul, Jr., Chris (Vicky Benedict), and Mark (Ruth Alvarez Benedict). Grandchildren Mark, Jr., Ariana, Allaya, and Cole Benedict. Great-Grandchildren Brittany and Brenner Benedict.

Ella had a heart of gold taking in the underprivileged and homeless, and stray dogs and cats. You never knew who would be dining at her kitchen table.

We would like to thank the K’ima:w medical staff and our Hupa and Karuk tribes for their kindness. Special thanks to Millie Grant, Poppie George, Josh Saxon, Chelsey Preston, and Rober Atteberry. Also, the Siskiyou Springs Senior Living Community in Yreka.

The six letter word, cancer, came back to knock on her door, and pretty much stayed. Rest in peace, Ella. A celebration of life will be held at a later date, to be announced.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Ella Benedict’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.