Mary Frances Forston Benson's Obituary
Mrs. Mary Forston Benson, 80, answered the Master’s call on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at a local health care facility. Mary was a lifelong member of New Monumental Baptist Church, where she served as an Associate Minister under the leadership of the late Dr. Virgil J. Caldwell.
She devoted her life to education, having graduated in the class of 1963 at Howard School. She later enrolled in Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia, and received a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation, she began her teaching career, having taught for thirty-five years in the Chattanooga Public School System at various elementary schools, including Joseph E. Smith, Mary Ann Garber, Piney Woods Elementary, and others. During her teaching years, she furthered her education by enrolling in Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, TN, and received a Master of Education in Supervision degree.
Mrs. Benson was an eloquent speaker and orator, a sassy (stylish) dresser, and was known for her colorful vocabulary. Her writings were impeccable.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sallie Jarvis Forston and John Lee Forston; brothers, Eddie Lewis, Walter Thomas Forston, and John Lee Forston; sisters, Bettie Jo Hargrove, Juanita Whitten, Lois Faye Sims, and three weeks ago, Jacqueline Hutto Cooper.
She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Sarah Forston (Tommy) Cook; and a host of nieces, great-nieces, nephews, and great- nephews.
Mrs. Benson will lie-in-state on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 12:00 noon in the chapel. Burial in Forest Hills Cemetery.
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