Margaret Shamlin Benton
Margaret Shamlin Benton, daughter of Delia and Richard Shamlin, passed away on Friday, March 24, 2023 at the abundant age of 93 years and seven months. Margaret was born on Aug. 24, 1929. She was a graduate of Tyner High School Class of 1947 where she made many special friends including Billie Jean Raper Soloff and Bobbie Scoggins Fugate, who were her lifelong special friends, and her high school sweetheart who became her husband of 36 years, Scottie Benton. Margaret and Scottie came to run a family business started in 1953, Benton Oil Service, of which she succeeded Scottie as President, following his death in 1986. She was listed in Working Woman Magazine in May of 1998 for owning one of the largest women-owned businesses in the country at that time. Margaret and Scottie raised four children on their farm in Ooltewah, the home that she loved more than life itself. They made their home there for 65 years. In 1995, Margaret married Charles "Pappy Hutch" Hutcherson who was a wonderful partner and grandfather to her grandchildren until his passing in 2011.
Margaret will be remembered by her friends and family for her strength, her love of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, her true patriotism, her lifelong passion for horses and the love her family dogs, especially her beloved Dyna which has been by her side daily for 10 years. Margaret had a community of friends she loved very dearly in addition to her high school friends. Most dear to her was her "backdoor" neighbor Jonathan Smith. They shared a common strength and love of farming. She never said or heard Jonathan's name without stating " she has been my longest and best friend. She was the first one to call me when we moved out here and she has been my good friend all of these 65 years." Her friend Betty Cartwright wrote and called Margaret regularly since their meeting several years ago at Meadowview Baptist Church. Margaret would always say ,"now Betty Cartwright is a true friend and you can't beat her husband NC. He's a good man." Her special farm buddy is Aubie Smith whom she knew from his childhood. He was her trusted friend and she considered him one of her own. She is very proud of his accomplishments and Margaret loved a good farmer. She leaves a true legacy of strength and belief in family values. Her niece Glenda Jenkins and her husband, JW, would call her nightly to be certain she was safely tucked in bed for the night. For years she would know it was time to settle in and all was right with the world once she received that call. She adored her nephew John Cochran who now resides in Texas. To her he was "the sweetest boy" and their long lived love for one another and their common love for their dogs brought her great joy. Many nieces and nephews will remember her for her strength and concern for them and their well-being.
Margaret outlived her birth family and that of her husband Scottie. In addition to her husbands, Margaret's daughters Cindy Benton (McNabb) Bible and Wendy Benton Higdon went ahead of her to their Heavenly home. She was especially blessed to have son in laws whom she truly adored, Terry Higdon and David Jerrolds as well her precious daughter in law Kerri West Benton. Margaret's legacy includes her daughter, Lisa Jerrolds, of Knoxville, TN, son, Ross Benton, of McDonald, TN, eleven grandchildren who are listed in birth order and her 14 great-grandchildren.
Dusty McNabb (Melissa) and his children Levi and Peyton McNabb (due in June), Justin Higdon and his twins Whitley Tate and Benton Ray Higdon(due in May), Hayden Jerrolds (Riley) and his sons Harlan and Cullen Jerrolds, Gretchen Higdon Ratchford (Barrett) and her children Jameson, Berkley, and Ellison Ratchford, Capt. Harrison Jerrolds (Skye) and his daughters Stella, Shiloh and Sophie, Ashley Colston and her daughter Isa Puselja, Holden Jerrolds (Abby), Holland Jerrolds, Blaze Benton(Maddie), Hooper Jerrolds and Trace Benton.
A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 29, at Hamilton Memorial Gardens in Hixson, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or to McKamey Animal Center at www.mckameyanimalcenter.org
Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com.
Arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.