Frances Marie Horton Benford was born on February 9, 1954 in Athens, Alabama to Emory Horton and Annie Frances Horton. After a courageous battle with cancer, she departed this life on October 3, 2018. Frances was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother, Gregory Lee Horton; step mother, Gracie Horton; and step brother, Mark Malone.
Frances graduated from Athens High School in 1972. While attending Trinity High School, she played the clarinet in the marching band. She expressed her love for others through cooking.
Frances joined the Samson Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church at a young age and became a member of the Frazier C.M.E. Church when the congregations merge. She later united with the Lucas Street Church of Christ where she served faithfully in the kitchen ministry until her death.
Celebrating their mother’s love are her two sons: Tory Benford and La’Derek Benford, both of Athens, AL and granddaughter, Naomi Benford of Athens, AL. Additional grandchildren are Stacia Benford, Z’Tariyah Benford, Desmond Benford and Cecelia Benford, all of Athens, AL. She also leaves to cherish her memories two brothers: Michael (Arlene) Horton and Timothy (Wanda) Horton of Athens, AL; three sisters: Bernadette (Michael) Gray of Memphis, TN, Sharon (Darryl) Ward of Birmingham, AL, and Lorinda Horton of Madison, AL; two step sisters: Linda Sue (Tony) Patrick and Shirley Steele, both of Athens, AL; a special aunt, Elaine Noble of Athens, AL; uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be 12:00 p.m., Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Lucas Street Church of Christ (924 Lucas Street, Athens, Al 35611) with Pastor Jerry Lankford officiating. Interment will be in Persimmons Grove Cemetery in Elkmont, AL. Ms. Benford will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
The Benford family will receive guests from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 5, 2018 at the Royal Funeral Home – Mason Chapel in Athens, Alabama.
Public viewing will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 5, 2018, and from 8:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m., Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Royal Funeral Home, Inc – Mason Chapel.
