Mildred Benton

Mildred Slocumb Benton, 89, of Phenix City, AL, passed away Monday morning, October 16, 2017.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 pm Thursday, October 19, 2017 at Lakewood Baptist Church in Phenix City. The family will receive friends after the service in the church fellowship hall. Interment will be private at Lakeview Memory Gardens.

Mrs. Benton was born October 27, 1927 in Phenix City, AL to the late Carl and Eva Slocumb. She was a graduate of Central High School and Auburn University where she received a BS and Master’s Degree in Education and Administration. A longtime teacher with the Phenix City School System and was principal at Westview Elementary. She was a member of the ABWA both nationally and locally, the Russell County Historical Commission and served on the Board of Trustees for the Union Primitive Preservation Society. She was a life-long member Lakewood Baptist Church (formerly Westside Baptist Church), joining the choir in high school. She taught Sunday School and with the GA and YWA programs.

Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings; Joyce Murphy, Dennis Slocumb and Faye Farrar.

She is survived by her husband of 71 years, William J. “Bill” Benton, Sr.; children, Kaye Hall (Ric), Susan Graham (Jimmy), Billy Benton (Vickie) and Jenny Bence Collins (Joel); siblings, Sara Cannon (Olease), David Slocumb (Pansy) and Billy Slocumb; grandchildren, Jamie Graham (Paula), Laura Hall Thomas (Bill), Greg Graham (Julie), Brian Benton, Bob Hall (Kim), David Bence (Stacy), Heather Hall Allred (Michael), Brady Benton (Tracey), Carey Bence (Christy), Jenna Kaye Graham Favors (Cullen), Crystal Bence Claridy (Tommy), Bobby Ciccolella (Missy), Jennifer Talley (Travis), Cory Collins (Heather) and Clint Collins (Jane);

great-grandchildren, Savannah Hall, Matthew Thomas, Jackson Allred, Zachary Thomas, Jennings Allred, Sullivan Hall, Madison Graham, JJ Graham, Will Graham, Benton Graham, Wesley Graham, Claire Graham, Cooper Favors, Hudson Favors, Graham Favors, Harper Benton, Addison Benton, Shelby Amos, Mackie Amos, Oliver Talley, Delaney Ciccolella, Dominick Ciccolella, Jake Ciccolella, Kamren Bence, Kody Bence, Jaden Bence, Kennedy Mensch, Aleeya Claridy, Kori Bence, Kadie Bence, Carmen Bence, Trey Claridy, Tyler Claridy, Cole Bence, Tanner Claridy, Julia Farley Collins, Chadwick Collins, David Jenkins, Marian Jenkins, Molly Jenkins and Malone Collins; numerous nieces, nephews, other loving family members, and many caring friends.

A special thank you to her caregivers for their kindness; Heather Allison, Cindy Burnham, Teresa Touchton and Samantha Distashio.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Russell County Historical Commission for Ft. Mitchell Park/Museum, PO Box 3411 Phenix City, AL 36868 or Lakewood Baptist Church Family Life Center, 4011 Lakewood Drive Phenix City, AL 36867.

Online condolences at www.vancememorialchapel.net.