James Kenneth "J. K." Benton

Hatley- Kenneth “J.K.” Benton, 86, went to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday, November 21, 2013. Born in Hatley on Christmas Day in 1926, he was a son of W.J. and Margaret Florence Richardson Benton.

A lifelong resident of Hatley, he graduated from Hatley High School and served the Lord as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and Superintendent at Hatley Missionary Baptist Church. With his father’s passing in 1937, Kenneth began to work for the Crook family on the farm to help support his mother. Upon graduation he worked for TVA,, Neely Brother’s in Yazoo City, where he met his best friend and wife, and worked at Monroe County Electric Power Association for over 42 years, working through the ranks as a lineman, superintendent and engineer, retiring in 1992. A devoted husband and father, he loved his family deeply. He enjoyed gardening working in his shop, listening to bluegrass music and watching Atlanta Braves Baseball.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jewel Henson Benton; daughter, Margie Farrar (Billy), Amory; son, Joe Benton (Janice), Hatley; grandchildren, Kevin Farrar (Christina), Jeremy Farrar all of Amory, Brad Benton (Shelli), Senatobia, Jill Barrett (Matt), Chelsea, AL; great grandchildren, Garrett and Faith Benton, Daniel, Emma and Chloe Farrar, Zoe and Jacob Barrett; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by 2 sisters, Marie Wilson and Evelyn Fritch; brother, Arthur “Buck” Benton.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30 PM, Sunday, November 24, 2013 at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home with Bro. Dean Smith and Bro. Sidney McLeod officiating. Burial will follow in Hatley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Phil Adair, Matt Barrett, Brad Benton, Steve Cantrell, Kevin and Jeremy Farrar and Tom Crook. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Ritter, Hatley Missionary Baptist Church Deacons and the Monroe County Electric Power Association Employees.

Donations may be given to the Hatley Missionary Baptist Church, 60271 Hatley Rd, Amory, MS 38821.

Visitation will be from 5-8pm Saturday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.