Mildred Simmons Benton

Mildred Simmons Benton peacefully traded her earthly home for her heavenly castle on February 20, 2026. A devoted child of God, Mildred lived her faith daily through a lifetime of selfless service, quiet generosity, and an unwavering love for her family.

Born in Chattanooga, TN, Mildred graduated from Chattanooga High School and her first job was as a "cigar and cigarette girl" for the Chattanooga Lookouts, a minor league baseball team. She then attended Maryville College, where she met the love of her life, Don Benton. They married in 1952, beginning a 21-year journey as a proud Marine Corps family. Following Don’s retirement in 1971, they returned to his childhood home in Alabama to care for his aging parents and raise their own children. They celebrated 42 years of marriage before Don’s passing in 1994.

A pillar of her community, Mildred was a long-time member of Centreville United Methodist Church before joining the congregation at Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Montevallo. Her commitment to others was defined by her 20-year tenure with the Shelby Baptist Hospital Auxiliary, where she was named a Lifetime Member in 2017. Her civic heart led her to be recognized as Bibb County’s Citizen of the Year in 2007. Following Don’s passing, Mildred found deep purpose volunteering at New Beacon Hospice, offering clerical support and hand-writing heartfelt letters to comfort grieving families.

Her final years were spent at the Gardens of Clanton, where the staff and residents became a beloved extension of her own family. Mildred was a friend to all she met, leaving behind a legacy of grace that will continue to inspire those who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, LTC Don Benton (USMC, Ret.); her parents, Noble and Mildred Simmons; and her five brothers, Noble Jr., Thomas, Russell, Robert, and William (CPL, USMC, Iwo Jima, d. March 3, 1945).

Mildred’s legacy lives on through her children, Doug Benton (Dana), Steve Benton (Crystal), and Laura Glass (Jeff); five grandchildren, Erica Ponce de Leon (James), Daniel Benton (Kayla), Steven Benton (Kelly), Andrew Glass, and Katy Benton; and three great-grandchildren, Tyler Whatley, Sam Benton, and Ollie Ponce de Leon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to any of the numerous charities she believed in and supported such as Embrace Alabama Kids (formerly United Methodist Children’s Home) at embracealkids.org, Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots at toysfortots.org, Wounded Warrior Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org, Easterseals at easterseals.org, Red Cross at redcross.org or Salvation Army at give.salvationarmyusa.org.

Her funeral service will be held at Rockco Funeral Home, located at 3715 Highway 25, Montevallo, Alabama, 35115, on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM, with visitation to begin at 12:00 PM. A reception will follow the funeral service and she will be laid to rest at Cahaba Valley Church Cemetery, 1245 Little River Lane, Brierfield, AL 35035.