Mary Ella Everett Benson

Mary Ella Everett Benson passed away during the early morning hours of June 19, 2010, after a brief illness. Born in Washington County on February 5, 1926, she was one of the four children of John Gordon and Nancy Catherine Everett. After finishing her education in the Washington County School System, she attended Georgia State College for Women (presently Georgia College and State University) where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Music. After graduating college she moved to Buford, Georgia, where she taught piano and began a career spanning over thirty years as the Music Director for the Buford First United Methodist. Before retiring as a church musician, she also served as organist for the Rehobeth Presbyterian Church of Tucker and, later, for Saint Andrews Methodist Church in Marietta. For a short time during her younger years, she also taught first grade at Buford Elementary School. Mrs. Benson was defined by her love of music as well as by her talent through her work as a church choir director, organist, and pianist; a teacher of piano; and as an accompanist for local musicians as well as for professional artists. She introduced Buford to Handels Messiah with her choir at the Buford First Methodist Church. An accomplished musician, she once did a benefit with Bob Van Camp, the well-known organist for years at the Fox Theater and accompanied professional soloists, some who were members of the Atlanta Symphony. She was a master organist and pianist and maintained her ability to play with precision and mastery until her death. A life-long learner, Mrs. Benson took classes in French, German, and calculus at Gainesville College and State University well into her senior years. She learned to swim as an adult and greatly enjoyed swimming as an exercise until her death. Even though she traveled little beyond her home state of Georgia, she loved to learn about other countries and cultures through books and travelogues and instilled this curiosity into her children, three of whom lived in other countries for much of their adult lives. Those who knew her well were familiar with her love of Washington County, and when she and her family moved from Buford to Sugar Hill in the late sixties to be farther out into the country at that time, the flowers in her yard were reminders of the flowers that grew at her home place when she was a child. Mary Ella Everett Benson was a unique blend of passions that encompassed various aspects of life ranging from her love of animals to her deep appreciation of music and the arts. Over her lifetime, she adopted numerous cats and dogs, six whom she named Ginger, and often had collies whom she often named Princess. Those who knew her well would agree that she was a creative individual who led her life by her own rules and who often was able to capture the joy and innocence of the child even though her life had its share of losses and frustrations. Mrs. Benson is predeceased by Bert Benson, her husband of sixty years; two children, John Charles Benson and Louise Benson Jacobs; and a granddaughter,Kate Puzey. Survivors include three children, Lois (Harry) Puzey; Gordon (Helen) Benson; David (Theresa) Benson; son-in-law, Bill Jacobs; grandchildren, Amanda (Blake) Turner, Emilie (Rowan) Finnegan, David Lee Puzey, Chris Benson and Anna Benson; one great-grandson, Luke Turner; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at Ingrams Funeral Home in Cumming on Sunday, June 20, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held at the Buford First United Methodist Church on Monday at 4:00 p.m. with interment immediately following in the family cemetery at New Prospect United Methodist Church. Ingram Funeral Home Crematory, Cumming, GA is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences