Ms. Ethel Benton

Obituary Ethel L. Washington was born March 16, 1932 to Willie and Lillian Washington in Marshall, TX. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas A. Benton, one son, Thomas A. Benton III, one grandson, Telle A. Benton, parents, Willie and Lillian Washington, and six siblings. Ethel moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1947 to live with her cousin, Jimmie Marie Thomas. She met the love of her life, Thomas A. Benton in 1949. They were married July 22, 1951 and spent 67 wonderful years together. To this union were born four children, Thomas (decd), Sherri, Colette and Myra. Ethel began her career as a cafeteria assistant at Milton Moore Elementary school. She later became a classroom para professional at D.A. Holmes Elementary school. Her love for cooking led her to the VA Hospital where she worked as a cook in the Canteen Cafeteria. Her cooking drew large crowds, long lines, and sold-out foods daily. She retired as supervisor. Ethel was a life-long member of Gilbert Memorial A.M.E. Church. She loved to serve and led by example. She made flower corsages every Mother’s Day for members to wear. She was chairperson of the kitchen committee and in charge of preparing large meals for large crowds. She loved singing, and sang in the choir for a number of years. She was also over the children’s choir. She served on the Stewardesses board, helped prepare communion, and was a member of the Mary Elizabeth Missionary Society. She and her husband Thomas faithfully cleaned the church every Saturday for many years. Ethel was like the mom on the Kool-Aid commercial. She always had a sandwich and a pitcher of Kool-Aid for all the kids on the block. It was also known that you could get a good meal in “Ethel’s Kitchen”. She was always sweet and had something good to eat. She was a great wife, mother, confidant and friend. She enjoyed bowling, hosting Pokeno parties, playing Bid Whist, Dominoes and Spades. She leaves to cherish her memory, three daughters, Sherri (David decd) Skannal, Colette Benton, and Myra Benton, 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren and a host of relatives, and friends. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, October. 9, 2021, 11:00am at Christian Tabernacle COGIC. Private Disposition. Visitation will be from 10am-11am at the church. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ms. Ethel Benton, please visit our floral store. Read More

Ms. Ethel Benton

March 16, 1932 - October 2, 2021