Mary Florence Hobson Benson
Mary Florence Hobson Benson, 93, departed this life peacefully in Hilton Head Island on Monday, November 20, 2023. She had been a resident of Chattanooga since 2006.
Mary Florence was born on October 5, 1930, in Luebo, Belgian Congo, Africa as the only daughter of Reverend John Kemp Hobson and Rowena Williamson who were Presbyterian missionaries. As a child, she attended boarding school at Lubondai at the Central School for Missionary Children. After graduation she came to the United States to attend King College in Bristol, Tennessee. While a student there she met and married Ellis Umberger Harr, M.D., who predeceased her 49 years ago. She graduated with honors from King College. While living in Bristol, she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she served as leader with the Women of the Church and taught Sunday School. She was also president of the PTA, member of the Junior League and an active tennis player. After Dr. Harr’s death, she married Edwin Weatherall Smail of Bristol. His death occurred the following year.
In 1978, she met and married Dr. Homer Stanley Benson, Jr., and moved to Columbus, Ga., where he was a practicing dentist. In Columbus she served as a lay reader, Vestry member and Senior Warden at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. She also served as president of the Columbus Symphony Women’s Association and as president of the Ivy Garden Club. She was a landscape designer for over 20 years, designing private gardens as well as a multifamily housing development. She was instrumental in the formation of the Columbus Botanical Garden. Her life revolved around plants and gardens, and she loved the smell and the feel of the earth. One of her greatest pleasures was serving as a volunteer at Callaway Gardens, usually in the Sibley Center.
In Chattanooga she was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She was a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, serving as Town Chairman for two years. She was also a member of the Dirt Dabbers Garden Club.
Her friends and family will remember Mary Florence for her wit and love for Stan Benson, her pension for storytelling, building six houses, her passion for the Episcopal Church, and for music.
Mary Florence is survived by her four children: Karen White (Harvey), Ron Harr (Linda Andreae), Kristina Higgins (Raymond), and Kemp Harr (Anne); and five grandchildren: Joey White, Ginny Harr Webb, Betsy Harr Akins, Ellis Harr and Abigail Harr; and six great children; as well as her two half sisters, Grace Hobson Hopwood and Ruth Hobson Gilbert.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. When making donations, the memorial reference ID is 23711842.
The funeral will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga at 2 pm on Saturday, Dec. 16, with a brief visitation following the service.
Visit www.heritagebattlefield.com to share condolences with the family.
Services announced by Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.