Frances Fivecoat Benton, 94, of Columbus, MS passed away Saturday, November 18, 2023, at her residence.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 22, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Steens First Baptist Church, Steens, MS. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM with Bro. Michael Carney officiating and Bro. Danny Avery assisting. The interment will be in Halbert Family Cemetery, Columbus, MS.

Mrs. Benton was born August 15, 1929, in Houston, TX to the late Ernest and Clara Mae Shaffner Fivecoat. She married the late Walter Bryant Benton, Jr. on December 9, 1955, in Houston, TX. She worked for Biehl and Co. in Houston, TX, and the Social Security Administration in Columbus, MS. She  was a member of Steens First Baptist Church for many years.  Mrs. Benton was a faithful wife to her husband who was a Baptist minister. She was his helpmate through his years of service in addition to teaching Sunday School and serving as Vacation Bible School director for many of those years. Frances shared her beautiful artwork with her family and church family and was known for her murals that were used at VBS. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her brother- Ernest "Ernie" Fivecoat, Jr.

Mrs. Benton is survived by her son- Keith (Cindy) Benton; daughters- Ellen (Reese) James, Karen (Mitchell) Thornton, Lynne (Mike) Carney; grandchildren- Bryan (Becca), Justin (Carley), Melissa, Michael (Jana), Kyndal (Justin), Sean, T.J., Matthew (Grace), and Katie; great-grandchildren- Martin, Olivia, Beckett, Tatum, Dani, Bowen, Emma, Patrick, Mary Alice, Betty Brooke, and Blakney.

Pallbearers will be Bryan Benton, Justin Benton, Michael Thornton, Timothy Carney, and Matthew Carney. Honorary Pallbearers will be Sean Carney, Mitchell Thornton, Reese James, and the Men of Steens First Baptist Church.

The family would like to thank all of the "staff" who has been part of "Benton Hill" over the years. We love and appreciate all of you for your love and care for our parents. A special thank you to Sheila and Sharon for their care during our mother's final days.

Memorials can be sent to Steens Baptist Church, PO Box 40, Steens, MS 39766.