Frances M. Benton

Published 5:50 pm Tuesday, September 27, 2022

CLAYTON – Frances Moseley Benton, 78, passed away peacefully at her home in Clayton, NC on Friday, September 23, 2022 after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Frances was born on April 6, 1944 to Maynard Newton and Frances Carraway Moseley in Raleigh, NC. She married her high school sweetheart, William “Bill” Benton on July 22, 1961. Frances dedicated her life to the love and service of her family and her community. A life-long learner, Frances returned to school after having her children and earned her RN degree from Roanoke Chowan Community College in 1982. She graduated from East Carolina University in 1998 with a BSN degree. Frances worked at Roanoke Chowan Hospital for over 20 years in the Medical/Surgical and Obstetrical units. She served as a resource nurse, hospice nurse and Head Nurse during her time at RCH. Frances worked at Carteret General Hospital for three years while simultaneously earning her Massage Therapy license from Carteret Community College.

It was her kind, loving, generous soul that made Frances so beloved by her family, friends and patients. She expressed her love through her delicious homemade fudge and countless foot and back massages. She loved music and loved to play the piano. She was a voracious reader and collector of books and not much made her happier than reading with a grandchild on her lap. Frances cherished time spent outdoors. She loved to work in her yard while watching and feeding the birds. She had a green thumb and left the world a much more beautiful place via the countless azaleas, gardenias and dogwoods that she planted. She loved to spend time swimming in the ocean as much as she loved to go hiking in the mountains. Frances was a nurturer and encourager. The only time she raised her voice was when called upon to play “monster” and chase giggling grandchildren around her home. Those left to mourn her passing find comfort in the fact that she is now among the Angels that she loved so much, continuing to watch over us even still.

Along with her parents, Frances was preceded in death by her beloved son, William “Adam” Benton and her sister, Betty Rose Peebles.

Left to cherish Frances’ memory are her loving husband, Bill; three daughters, Katherine Jones and husband Lawrence of Clayton, NC, Kristina Bracy and husband Bobby of Raleigh, NC, and Keri-Helen Arrington and husband Calvin of Garner, NC; siblings, Barbara Smith and husband Scott of Virginia Beach, VA, Bob Moseley and wife Sally of Raleigh, NC, and Mary Moseley of Cary, NC; nine grandchildren, Zachary Jones and wife April of Salt Lake City, UT, Ryan Bracy and wife Megan of Raleigh, NC, Kaitlin Johnson and husband Justin of Clayton, NC, Luke Bracy and wife Courtney of Raleigh, NC, Joshua Bracy of Raleigh, NC, Hunter Benton of Winton, NC, Holden Benton of Ahoskie, NC, Caleb Arrington and Eli Arrington of Garner, NC as well as eight great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Union Baptist Church with longtime family friend and pastor Johnny Baker officiating.  Immediately following will be a graveside service at Highland Memorial Gardens in Ahoskie, NC. Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions can be made to the Jim “Catfish” Hunter ALS Foundation, attention Helen Hunter, PO Box 47, Hertford, NC 27944. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com for the Benton family.

Arrangements are with McLaurin Funeral Home, Clayton, NC.