Laura Jean Benton

Graveside services for Laura Jean Benton will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday September 4, 2013 on Virginia Street in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Born on October 9, 1930 in Houston County Alabama, she was the daughter of the late Dempsey Whitler Snellgrove and Annie Mae Porter Snellgrove. She was married to William Curtis Benton and they started their young married life in Webb and Ashford, Al before moving to Thomasville, Ga. in the early 50's. They moved to Newnan, Ga. and Lafayette, Al. before settling back to Thomasville, Ga. where they lived the remainder of their lives. At the time of her death she was living in Belvedere Commons Facility in Thomasville. She is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years William Curtis Benton, infant son Stanley Curtis Benton, daughter Patricia Gayle Benton, parents Dempsey Whitler and Annie Mae Porter Snellgrove, brothers Garvious Snellgrove, Thomas Ray Snellgrove, William Morgan Snellgrove, sisters Betty Joyce Snellgrove Heitzenrater, and Dorothy Inez Snellgrove Shelley. Mrs. Benton is survived by her son William Stacy Benton of Thomasville, Ga; daughter Debra Jean Benton of Tallahassee, Fl.; grandson Dustin Benton of Tallahassee, Fl; granddaughter Morgan Benton of Whigham, Ga; brother Jerry Michael Snellgrove and wife Kathryn of Dothan, Al; sisters Norma Snellgrove Ott and husband Carlton of Dothan, Al, Helen Snellgrove Bruner of Dothan, Al; sisters-in-law Laura Bradford Bludsworth of Dothan, Al, Noma Kirkland Snellgrove of Webb, Al; brothers-in-law John Heitzenrater of Dothan, Al, Jay H. Shelley of Trussville, Al; several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday prior to the service from 1:00-2:30 PM.