Benton Proctor

Mr. Benton Russell Proctor, age 93, of 1345 Redmond Road, Rome, GA, a longtime resident of the Riverside Community, died Saturday evening, May 15, 2004, in a local health care facility.A native of Floyd County, Mr. Proctor was born on April 9, 1911, son of the late Thomas Luther and Georgia Willis Proctor. He was educated in Floyd County Schools and was a graduate of Haynes Institute of Combustible Engineering of Chicago, Illinois. He had been a resident of Rome and Floyd County all of his life. Mr. Proctor had been an employee at the former Tubize Corporation, later Celanese Fibers Company from 1929 to 1972 as Superintendent of the Power and Air Conditioning Department. After retirement, for three years, he was associated with Rome Machine and Foundry as a Purchasing Agent, until becoming part owner of Eagle Equipment Company in 1977. Mr. Proctor had been a member of the Riverside Baptist Church since 1938, serving in many capacities such as Chairman of Deacons, Training Union Director, Director of Brotherhood, and taught the Men's Gideon Sunday School Class. He was a member and past President of the Rome Lion's Club, where he served as a Cabinet Secretary, Treasurer and Governor of District 18A, and Director of Georgia Lion's Foundations Lighthouse. Mr. Proctor was a recipient the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, a Lion's International Foundation Award for dedicated Humanitarian Service. He was preceded in death on July 15, 2003, by his wife, Annie Jo Booker Proctor, to whom he married on November 28, 1931. Also preceding him in death was a daughter, Juanita Owens, two brothers, Willard and Wright Proctor, and a sister, Nell Cradock.Mr. Proctor is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, David and Evelyn Proctor of Rome; three grandchildren, Jennie Bishop, Michael Proctor and Robert G. Owens. Five great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews also survive.Graveside and interment services for Mr. Proctor will be held this (Tuesday) morning at 11 a.m. in the East View Cemetery with Rev. Randy Lambert and Rev. Bill Adams officiating. Those desiring to attend the service should meet at the cemetery by 10:45 a.m.Mr. Proctor will lie in-state at the Heritage Chapel of the Jennings Funeral Home where the family will receive friends this (Monday) evening from 6 until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial contributions be made to the Riverside Baptist Church, 48 Ash Street, Rome, GA, 30161.Please join Mr. Proctor's family in honoring his life by visiting www.jenningsfuneralhome.comThe Heritage Chapel of Jennings Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements of Mr. Benton Russell Proctor.