Kathryn Blackwell Benton

Kathryn Blackwell Benton, 96, died Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at Arbor Terrace in Decatur.

Mrs. Benton lived most of her 96 years in Jasper County. She was born April 24, 1916 in Shady Dale, to Clifford Winifred Delamater Blackwell and John Rosser Blackwell. She attended Monticello High School and Peace College in Raleigh, N.C.

In 1935 she married Louis Witte Benton, Sr. They resided in Monticello and delighted in each other’s company for almost 70 years, until his death in 1995. “Mr. Louis” managed the Bank of Monticello; Mrs. Benton taught school, owned and operated Kathryn’s Flower Shop, and her Benton Cotton States Insurance Agency.

She was active in the Monticello First United Methodist Church, having served as church treasurer.

She was an excellent driver, played the piano; she excelled at knitting, gardening, and being a loving mother to her only son, Louis W. Benton, Jr., his wife Ann, and grandmother to Mona and Trey. Mrs. Benton retained her faculties to the end, using email to communicate with family. As life’s circumstances changed, Mrs. Benton accepted each change with grace. In recent years she lived at Arbor Terrace in Decatur.

Survivors include her son, Louis W Benton, Jr. and his wife, Ann Rankin Benton, of Decatur; granddaughter Mona Kathryn Benton Lutz and her husband Matt, of East Calais, VT; grandson Louis (Trey) Benton, III and wife Laura of Louisville, KY; great-grandchildren Katie (Kathryn) Benton, Dylan Benton Lutz, and Ella Ann Lutz; nieces Carolyn Martin of Greenville, S.C., Bennie (Billy) Connelly of Monticello, Louise Blackwell Ledbetter of Raleigh, N.C.; nephew Bill (Liz) Blackwell of Greensboro, N.C.

A graveside service will be held Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at 11 a.m. in West View Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at the Monticello First United Methodist Church.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, January 18, 2013, at the Monticello First United Methodist Church. Dr. John Brown will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Bank of Monticello directors, Don Kelly, Steve Jordan, Joel Gaston, Neil Jordan, David Morrison, Bruce Kelly, Danny Roberts, and Harold Morgan, Director Emeritus.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Monticello First United Methodist Church, 651 College Street, Monticello, GA 31064; or your favorite charity.

Jordan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  For more information, visit its website at www.jordanfuneralhome monticello.com.