In Memoriam
Private Benjamin “Ben” Cavender, 22, of Charleston passed away Dec. 25, 2005, in Hawaii.
Born and raised in Big Chimney, he was a graduate of Capital High School’s class of 2002 and a member of the U.S. Army.
Surviving are his wife, Amanda Dawn Cavender; daughter, Hailie Dawn Cavender; parents, Michael and Angela Cavender of Big Chimney; sister, Amber Jean Cavender of Charleston; paternal grandparents, Orville and Carolyn Cavender; and maternal grandparent, Jean Morris.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at Wilson Funeral Home with Rose Eddington officiating. Burial will follow in the Morris family cemetery, Pinch, with full military graveside honors to be conducted.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the National Youth Science Camp, P.O. Box 3387, Charleston, WV 25333-3387.
Wilson Funeral Home, 420 Lee St. W, Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.
Ghost of His Smile
Days careen
Like the waters of a rushing river
To the sea
And we know that he was doing all right
As the sun chased down another night
Here he comes again
Down the staircase
He never passes without whistling an optimistic tune
And we know that he was doing all right
As the sun chased down another night
I can’t forget the ghost
I can’t forget the ghost
I can’t forget the ghost
Of his smile
We knew that we loved you
Bud we did not know how much
We will never forget the ghost of your smile.
—
With heavy hearts we write to tell you that Ben Cavender, known and loved by many at NYSC as Snake Boy, died unexpectedly this past Christmas Day. He was 22. He is survived by his wife Amanda, daughter Hailie, sister Amber, mother Angie (NYSC nurse 91-97), and father Mike. Angie, Amber, and Ben came to NYSC in 1991, and from the time Ben arrived at Camp Pocahontas, he explored every square inch of the grounds looking for snakes. He was tireless in his work as a young Nat Sci assistant.
Ben had recently joined the Army and was stationed in Hawaii for training. According to Angie, he was the happiest he had ever been. Bens love for nature and all creatures will live on in the hundreds he touched throughout his short life. Ben often noted how nice it was to be treated as an equal, not a kid, at Science Camp. Given his love for NYSC, his family asks that donations in his memory be made to the NYSF. Ben was buried January 8, 2006 in West Virginia.