Through God’s love and grace, on February 7, 1961 my mother, Dorothy Benton, became the proud parent of her first child, Kim LaShay Benton. Our grandparents, the late Mr. Homer and Mrs. Iola Benton immediately took over rearing Kim and started, affectionately, calling her Diane.

Upon accepting Christ as her personal Savior, my sister joined Mount Hermon Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. C. L. Daugherty. She was a dedicated, consecrated, committed, and active member of the Mount Hermon Baptist Church. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Matrons Ministry, Supervisor for the Junior Ushers, Supervisor for the Sunbeam, Cuisine Ministry, and the Beautification Ministry. On Sunday, November 11, 2007, during the 100th Anniversary of the Mount Hermon Baptist Church, she was awarded a beautiful centennial plaque for the outstanding services that she had rendered to the church.

She received her education in the Chambers County Public School System; and graduated from Valley High School in 1979. In 1981 Diane traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to assist two of her cousins, Marlene and Jessie, in the take care of their ailing mother, our great aunt Mellon Cooper, until she made her transition. They developed a close relationship while she lived in Atlanta. Consequently they called her their little sister.

After returning home she was employed by the WalMart Corporation. There she served in various positions including traveling to assist in setting up other WalMart stores in the southeast. While at WalMart my sister met and made a lot of friends, many of which still exist. She retired, as a supervisor, after twenty years with the corporation. She then became the matriarch of our family, taking care of not only her immediate family but extended family and friends.

While my sister did not care for traveling, she never missed a family reunion; whether in Florida, Alabama or Georgia she was always there doing what came natural to her, “pitching in to help”.

Diane had a personality that radiated love, patience and kindness to everyone that knew her. She was truly an inspiration to our family members in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Ohio including her church family, and her many friends.

On Monday September 12, 2011 the angels fitted my sister with her wings and she made her transition to be with her heavenly Father. She was preceded in death by our mother, Ms. Dorothy Ruth Benton and both our maternal grandparents. Kim’s precious memories will forever be engraved in the hearts of her loved ones: four precious children she reared as her very own: Tamara Dunn, Ziliyah Benton, Lashi Sharpe, and Latae Benton; all of Lanett, AL; one God child Kiaya Avery, Birmingham, AL; two devoted and loving sisters, Minister Bobbie (Egland) Ogletree and Mrs. LeShon (Eddie) Bledsoe, Lanett, AL; two caring brothers, Mr. Morris Ramsey, Lanett, AL and Rev. Frankie (Patrice) Hutchinson, Valley, AL; four precious aunts, Mrs. Mary Helen (George) Walker, Mrs. Laveron Ferrell, Lanett, AL; Mrs. Fannie Pearl Benton, Columbus, OH and Mrs. Katie Walker, Atlanta, GA; three uncles, Mr. Tommy Lee Benton, Mr. Homer Benton, Jr., and Mr. George Benton, Lanett, AL; one big special baby, LaShonda Benton and one devoted angel Tekela Walker, Lanett, AL; a God mother, Mrs. Jessie Lee Martin, Lanett, AL; three God sisters, Mrs. Eugenia (Rev. Tony) Avery, Mrs. Cynthia (Michael) Boyd, and Mrs. Phyllis Zachery (Bobby) Stiggers, three nephews, Frankie Hutchinson, Jr., Lagarian Hutchinson, and Kadarell Hutchinson all of Valley, AL; two God nieces, Jayla Lancaster and Jirah Lancaster; one God son, Alexander Jones; special cousins, Mrs. Bobbie (Anthony) Carter, Valley, AL; Mrs. Mary Ann (Henry) Bailey, Mr. Homer Walker, Mr. Griggs (Minnie) Walker, Mr. Morris Walker, Mr. Norris Walker, all of Lanett, AL; an array of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

KIM YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART.

LOVE, YOUR SISTER
Bobbie Benton Ogletree

Professional services provided by Davis Memorial Mortuary Inc. in Valley Alabama. http://davismemorialmortuary.com