Jackie Lamar Benton

Jackie Lamar Benton, 74, formerly of Baton Rouge, Louisiana passed away on Sunday September 16, 2012 in Decatur, Georgia, following a brief battle with cancer. He was born March 23, 1938 to Myrtle & J. Lee Benton in Blue Springs, Alabama, and was raised in Dothan, Alabama, where he attended Dothan High School. He won basketball scholarships to Pearl River Junior College and then to Louisiana Tech University where he met his wife, Sharon. They married on New Years Eve, 1958. He enjoyed a long career in the newspaper business included positions as a sportswriter for the Dothan Eagle, publisher for three papers in Baldwin County, Alabama and finally as an editor for the Baton Rouge State Times-Morning Advocate. During his newspaper career, Dr. Benton completed a Bachelor's Degree in business administration at Huntington University in Montgomery, Alabama and a MBA at Louisiana State University. Following retirement from the newspaper, Dr. Benton returned to LSU and completed a doctorate in Business Education and began a second career of teaching, including positions at Pointe Coupee Catholic High School and Central High School. His teaching career was highlighted by his selection as one of thee finalists for Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year August, 2000. Following his retirement from teaching and the death of his beloved wife in 2005 after 47 years of marriage, Dr. Benton relocated to Decatur, Georgia. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Brad and Mary Frances, Lisa and Don and Steve and Ken; five grandchildren, Taylor, Michael and his wife, Justine, Joshua, Corinne, and Mercer; one great-grandchild, Chance. At his request, no service will be held. A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033