Elease (Parker) Benton

Elease Parker Benton, 75, passed away at home surrounded by her family, Wednesday, November 28, 2012. She was born in Union County, NC on June 28, 1937, daughter of the late Amos S. and Arlene Mills Parker. Mrs. Benton was a graduate of Appalachian University with a Masters degree in Elementary education. She retired from the Union County School system, where she taught for over 27 years. Elease was a reading consultant in the early beginnings of Title 1 and helped to establish a base for other programs. She wanted every child to learn to read and took it on as her personal responsibility to help all children reach this goal. Mrs. Benton was past president and charter member of the Monroe Pilot Club and member of Alpha Delta Kappa. She was a member at West Monroe Baptist Church and later years was an active member at Benton Heights Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school, was a choir member and WMU president. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Friday, November 30, 2012, at Gordon Funeral Chapel, 1904 Lancaster Ave., Monroe, NC 28112. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 1:45 prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Monroe City Cemetery. Mrs. Benton is survived by her brother, Bobby Parker and wife Pat, nieces, Cindy Parker Price, Kim Parker and Mary Rose Helms, all of Monroe. The family is very thankful for her caregivers, Winnie Hanna and Brenda Gaither and Hospice for the excellent care she received, which allowed her to stay at her own home for the last 6 years as she struggled with Alzheimer's and arthritis. We are thankful that God has given her a new body now in heaven and she can rejoice with Jesus her savior forever. Memorials may be made to Benton Heights Baptist Church, 1411 Helms St., Monroe, NC 28110, Gideon's International, P O Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214 or Hospice of Union County, 700 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe, NC 28110. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Published online on November 28, 2012 courtesy of Gordon Funeral Service, Inc. .