Marvin Bates Benson, 85, of Hollow Rock, TN, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 6, 2013. His beloved wife of 55 years and two children were by his side.

Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Chase Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Prospect Cemetery. Pastor Mark Carrigan and Dr. Craig Jordan will officiate the service.

Pallbearers who will serve are Guy Thomason, Jerry Olds, Paul Harris, Hugh Foster, Greg Williams, and Troy Smothers.

The family will receive friends in the Chapel of Chase Funeral Home on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until time of service.


Marvin was born May 14, 1928, in Longtown, MS. He graduated from Courtland High School in 1946 and attended college at Millsaps, Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi. Marvin joined Memphis Light, Gas & Water in 1953, retiring in 1990 as the Vice President of Finance and Secretary/Treasurer to the Board of Directors. He was a member of the Memphis Civitans, American Gas Association and Planning Executives Institute. Following retirement Marvin spent the next chapter of his life riding a tractor and taking care of his horses. He so enjoyed being in the country, but every fall you would find Marvin in his season ticket seat at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, MS. He loved the MSU Bulldogs and supported the sports program for many years. Marvin was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church, attending Oakhaven United Methodist in Memphis for many years and most recently First United Methodist of Huntingdon. He was preceded in death by his parents Bates and Margaret Benson and his sister Addie Marie Fohner.

He is survived by his wife Wansie Medlin Benson, his daughter Sharon Fletcher (James), his son Phillip Benson (Cathy), his grandchildren Danielle Benson; Anna, Valerie and Luigi Favazza; Chris and Lauren Taylor; two great-grandchildren Mya Favazza and Wyatt Benson. He also leaves a sister Eugenia Bell of Memphis, TN.