Ethel Benton passed away Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the Silverstone Nursing Center in Rolla, Missouri. She was 94 years of age.

Ethel Gladys (Marshall) Benton was born May 7, 1932, to Earl and Elsie (Finn) Marshall, at the family home on East Eldon Street in St. James, Missouri. She was their seventh child. Ethel was united in marriage to George Thomas (Tommie) Benton on June 5, 1953, at the First Church of God in St. James.

Ethel is survived by her children: Dale Benton of King George, Virginia; Mark Benton and wife Beth of Ozark, Missouri; and Lisa Southard and husband Rodney of Rolla, Missouri. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Dane Benton (Tricia) of Ozark, Missouri; Nicole Mason (Keith) of Springfield, Missouri; Mary Caldwell of King George, Virginia; Karana Luebbert (Wesley) of St. Peters, Missouri; and Hanan Douglas of Wake Village, Texas. Ethel is further survived by great-grandchildren Colt and Case Mason, Marshall and Emily Benton, MaLeah Byrd, Wyles and Devlin Luebbert, and William Henry Douglas as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other extended family members and friends.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Tommie, on February 19, 2002, her parents, and her brother and sisters and their spouses: Homen Edward Marshall (Marie); Oma Berniece Kinkead (Lawrence); Dorothy Mabel Smith (George) and Georgia Elizabeth Walls (Chester), as well as two infant siblings, Vernon Earl Marshall and Beatrice May Marshall. Ethel was also preceded in death by daughter-in-law Audrey Benton, sister-in-law Betty Morrison, and brother-in-law Robert Morrison.

A Christian from an early age, Ethel attended the First Church of God as a child and through adulthood. She and Tommie raised their family in and around the church, serving in multiple capacities and leading by example. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and instilled a love of music in her children. Ethel was a homemaker until her children were school-aged. She then began working outside of the home as the secretary for the First Church of God in St. James, where she served from the mid-1960’s until 2012. During her tenure as secretary, Ethel had the opportunity to work with nine different senior pastors (as well as several youth, music, and interim pastors) which was no small feat. Ethel enjoyed all types of handwork and was never without a project whether she was at home or riding in the car with Tommie on one of their numerous day trips around the Ozarks. She was also an avid hand quilter, having learned the art from the older ladies in the church at their weekly quilting group held in the basement of the old rock church on Hardy Street. Ethel was privileged to demonstrate quilting from 1980 to 2015 at Old Iron Works Days held at Maramec Spring Park. For many years, Tommie could be found by her side offering his specialty of visiting with the onlookers as she stitched. After Tommie passed, her children and grandchildren assisted her, many making the trek from both in-state and out-of-state through all seasons of life. Her craft served as a special homecoming for the family. Ethel was famous for making and bringing ‘Pink Salad’ to every family get-together (always in the same bowl and always topped with maraschino cherries – the salad was not done without them). She was also known for her penchant for trips through the drive-thru at McDonald’s for a Quarter Pounder with cheese and a Mocha Frappé.

Ethel Benton will lie in state at 10:30 a.m. Friday July 31, 2026 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.

Funeral Service will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. Friday at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Don Carson Officiating. Ethel’s favorite hymns will be played by Linda Spurgeon. Pallbearers will be : Dane Benton, Wesley Luebbert, Keith Mason, Colt Mason, Case Mason and Rodney Southard. Honorary pallbearers: Marshall Benton, Emily Benton, MaLeah Byrd, Wyles Luebbert, Devlin Luebbert, and William Henry Douglas. Burial will be in the St. James Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the First Church of God, St. James, Missouri, or the Wounded Warrior Project. Cards are available at the Funeral Home.

Online condolences and floral offerings may be entered at www.jonesfunerals.com

All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.