Charles Benton

GATLINBURG, TN… Mr. Charles Wayne Benton (TSgt., United States Air Force, Retired), a resident of Gatlinburg, Tennessee (formerly of Newton), passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones early Monday morning, July 24, 2023. He was 89.

            Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon Saturday, July 29, 2023, in the Newton First Assembly of God Church with Pastor Andy Wood and Pastor Tommy Giddens officiating. Graveside services, with full military honors, will follow in Newton City Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 11:00 until 12:00 Noon Saturday at the church.

         Wayne was a loving husband, father, grandad and great grandad. He was born in Newton, AL to Ralph and Mable Benton. After 20 years’ service in the U.S. Airforce, he retired in Hawaii where he began his second career. He went on to become a Realtor, Broker and Business Owner. While in Hawaii, he was an active member and past President of the Pearl Ridge Rotary Club and served as a Deacon at the Central Union Church. In 2018, he and his wife moved to East TN to be closer to family. He was preceded in death by his beloved son Charles W. Benton, Jr., his parents Ralph and Mable Benton, and siblings Norman Benton and Miriam Speight.

         He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years Elizabeth Laquetta Benton; his daughter Lisa Hays-Ecklund and her husband Jerry; his granddaughters Jessi Hunter, Brittany Wilson (Mark), and Kassidee Toomire (Chris); his great grandchildren Charlee and Kace Hunter, Izabella and Gabriella Wilson, and Aumni, Iliah and Xaldin Toomire. Loving Brother Sherman Benton and many extended family members.