Marion Benton Obituary

It is with deep love and sadness that the family of Marion Henry Benton announce his departure from this world and entrance to the gates of Heaven on May 30th, 2025 at the age of 75. Surround by all his "girls" and his loving wife, Marion was sung hymns to usher him into the arms of Jesus. He had two main goals at the start of every day, to make someone laugh and to tell them about Jesus. His faith was unwavering and his love for everyone he encountered was unmatched. As many have said, "God broke the mold when He made Marion." A true Myrtle Beach native born March 1st, 1950, the youngest of three children, growing up in the heart of the city on Oak Street. He graduated from Myrtle Beach High School and went on to attain a degree in business at Charleston Baptist College (Charleston Southern University). A proud Veteran of the United States Navy. He served on the USS Independence in the Vietnam War. He was a Myrtle Beach Ocean lifeguard, worked alongside his Father and cousins at CL Benton & Sons and was the Assistant Commissioner of the Water and Sewer Department for the City of Myrtle Beach. He was an owner of Lakewood Camping Resort and served as the head of the maintenance department for many years, as well as serving alongside his wife for the Ministry team at the resort. Preceded in death were as follows: Edward Aurther Benton (Father), Marjorie Nance Benton (Mother), Angela Benton Perry (Sister), Christopher Micheal Morris Jr. (Grandson) and Christopher Micheal Morris (Son-in-law). He is survived by his wife Barbara Perry Benton, his brother William Edward Benton and his daughters, Natali Benton Timmons (Chad), Allie Benton Finotti (Nick), Shannon Benton Miller, Laura Jones McMillen-Edwards (Joe), Ryann Jones Elkins (Lee), Grayson Jones Morris and Jessica Jones Rough (Neil). As well as his grandchildren: Halie Finotti Chapman (Lane), Jackson Jones McMillen, Elijah Reid Cox, Micah Anthony Finotti, Ashlyn Adelle Elkins, Ava Rose McMillen, Anna Elizabeth Cox, Audrey Lee Elkins, Hudson Cole Timmons, Harrison Lang Timmons, Benton Andrew Miller, Hampton Oliver Miller, Dalton Wayne Matthews and Landon Henry Miller. To know Marion was to love him. He lived life to the absolute fullest and was always the life of the party. Whether you knew him for one day or your whole life, he made you feel like you were the most important person in the world. Sustained by his faith, he shared the gospel daily with whomever he encountered, and he never met a stranger. When you hugged him, you would smell like him and his cologne for the rest of the day, he would greet you with the biggest smile and make sure you hear a "Go Tigers!". Marion was active in the VA, a Sunday School leader, completed many mission trips, loved to ride his Harley Davidson and was the most knowledgeable outdoorsman. Whether it be deep-sea fishing, out on the boat in the inlet, wild game hunting in South Dakota, or hunting the fields and woods, he always knew exactly what to do and how to do it. The best memories always involve him dancing and listening to his "funk" music. He could dance you out of a room and was always the last to shut a party down. His favorite dancing partner was his beautiful bride Barbara, he would constantly tell people, "Look at this beautiful woman, I mean, it don't get no better than this!". Everyone knew just how much he loved his wife and his daughters (his girls), but his grandchildren stole the show. He took any opportunity he had to brag on their accomplishments and show photos of them. He had the biggest heart, the best hugs and could make anyone laugh. This town will never be the same without him and we are going to miss him more than words could ever express. However, we rejoice in knowing that at this very moment he is walking the streets of gold and praising our Heavenly Father saying "OH. MY. WORD!" As the family we would like to acknowledge the Doctors, Nurses and all staff of Grand Strand Hospital. They all became like extended family to us and provided the comfort that was needed to go through this process. We truly believe they were angels sent down from Heaven above. The visitation will be held at McMillan-Small Funeral Home, Monday June 2nd, 2025 from 4:00-6:00pm. Funeral will be held at First Baptist Church of Myrtle Beach, Tuesday June 3rd, 2025 at 2:00pm. Respectfully, the graveside service will be reserved for family only. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marion Henry Benton, please visit our floral store.