Laree Malone Benton

Laree Malone Benton, age 93, passed away Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at Abbey Hospice in Social Circle.

Mrs. Benton was born on January 26, 1928 to the late Leon Eugene Malone and Irene Roberts Malone in the Hopewell community of Jasper County. A proud lifelong resident of Monticello, Laree graduated from Monticello High School. She attended Emory at Oxford before graduating from the University of Georgia in Athens,and was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

Laree married James Frederick “Fred” Benton, Jr. on November 23, 1950. She was a respected science teacher at Monticello High School, business owner of Kathryn’s Flowers and City Council member in Monticello.

Laree loved to travel near and far. She also enjoyed her home in Highlands, N.C. for the past 22 years.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Frederick “Fred” Benton, Jr.; son, James Frederick “Buster” Benton, III; and son-in-law, William Allen “Bill” Felts, Jr. of Thomasville.

She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca “Becky” Benton Felts of Thomasville; son, Eugene Malone “Gene” (Christie) Benton of Monroe; grandchildren, William Allen “Will” (Annais) Felts and Boone Benton Felts of Thomasville, Amelia Benton (Porter) Henritze of Atlanta and Eugene Bartlett (Whitney) Benton of Monroe; great- grandchildren, Allie Felts, Freddie Henritze, Amy Rae Benton, Benton Henritze, Hanson Rollins and Jaxon Rollins.

Funeral services are scheduled at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, at the Monticello First United Methodist Church. Interment will be in West View Cemetery. Dr. John Brown and Pastor Kara Wilson will officiate.

Pallbearers include Doug Huff, Joseph Gasses, Jimmy Ezell, Tommy Jordan, John Mays, Will Felts, Boone Felts, Bart Benton and Porter Henritze.

The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, at the Monticello First United Methodist Church.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Monticello First United Methodist Church, 651 College Street, Monticello, Ga. 31064.

Jordan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.