Anice Joye Benton

ANICE BENTON

Funeral services for Mrs. Anice Joye Benton, age 92 of Fayette, will be held Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at 11 a.m.  at Macedonia (Gumbud) Baptist Church. Nelson Funeral Home of Fayette and the family will host the visitation on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, from 6 - 8 p.m. She died Sunday, Dec. 21, in the Long-Term Care Unit at Fayette Medical Center.
Mrs. Benton was born and raised in Fayette. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She brought joy, laughter, and love into any room she entered, always making others feel seen and loved. After graduating from Livingston Teaching College and later The University of Alabama, she devoted 37 years to teaching. It was her passion and calling. Mrs. Benton taught in Cleveland, Ohio, Leesburg, Fla. and Fayette, where she spent the majority of her career. In 1993, she was named Fayette County Teacher of the Year; it was an honor she cherished and by which she was humbled.
Mrs. Benton was a lifelong learner. In addition to cooking, she enjoyed gardening, gospel music, photography, sewing and games of all kinds — she was a fierce competitor. She was a dedicated church member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years. In retirement, she began quilting. Over the years, she made and gave away many quilts to family, special friends and her church family. Mrs. Benton lived her life fully. She delighted in spreading kindness, generosity, and love to everyone she met, and she will remain in our hearts forever.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Delma Watson Williamson; her husband of 54 years, Charles F. Benton; and her five siblings, Lanier Williamson, Olene W. Cauble (George), Lonnie Williamson (Helen), Katie W. Black (Lewis) and Billy Roy Williamson (Wanda).
Survivors include her daughters,: LeeAnna Benton Mills (Bobby) of Fayette and Charlotte Benton Deep (Stephen) of Slidell, La.; grandchildren, Haley Mills Reardon (Sean), Adam Mills (Melanie) of Atlanta, Ga. Shannon Deep Connolly (Troy) of Fernly, Nev. and Ryan Deep of Slidell, La.; three great-grandchildren, Audrey Reardon, Henry Mills and Phoebe Mills; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (www.alzfon.org) or the Fayette Christian Center of Concern.
Nelson Funeral Home of Fayette directed.