On May 8, 2015 at 1:11 pm, while playing the Ukulele with her sister and listening to her favorite song, Up on the Roof, Taylor Elise Benton escaped from her frail body into the arms of a loving God. At age 22 Taylor has touched so many lives. Her favorite things were music and movies. Her taste in music varied from the Hank Williams Sr. that played in her incubator to Mozart. Her favorite popular music was also varied and included artists like Carole King, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel and probably her favorite, James Taylor whom she once got to meet personally. She delved into the details of the songs relentlessly asking; What’s the group? Who’s the lead singer? Who wrote it? Who covered it?…She was a huge fan of the TV gameshows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She loved the Muppets and the movie Sound of Music.
Taylor was a seasoned traveler visiting 44 of the lower 48 States as well as New Brunswick and Ontario Canada.
She was preceded in death by her faithful companion dog “Bodie” and several young friends who met untimely deaths. She experienced High School Graduation early when Covenant United Methodist Church held a private ceremony and celebration for her a few weeks ago.
Taylor is survived by her sister, Gracie; mother, Kimberly; father, Keith; grandparents, Raymon and Betty Benton and Peter and Janice Green as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Covenant United Methodist Church, 2004 Dock Landing Rd., Chesapeake, VA 23321 or Canine Companions for Independence @ www.cci.org/GiveaGift.
Our thoughts and prayers have been with Taylor and the family over the past few days. Thanks for sharing her with us–she will be missed.
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. Taylor was one of my favorite patients. I will always remember her beautiful smile. Thank you so much for the opportunity to meet her. I miss you all and think of you often.
I have such great memories of Taylor – her jokes, her smile. I am so grateful to have known her. She will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. It was a privilege to work with Taylor through the years and watch her grow into a beautiful young lady. I have many fond memories of Taylor, from her beautiful smile, and all the riddles/jokes told in a therapy session, to her playing opossum in the pool and not kicking her legs each summer, unless she was flirting with the lifeguard and then she would kick away. As the angel she was here on earth, she is now an angel in heaven with God watching over you and keeping you safe, like you watched over her and kept her safe all these years. May God bless you with comfort and peace.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Taylor is dancing in heaven to her favorite music. I am honored to have had the privilege of being one of her teachers and family friends. I love remembering how she use to crack up laughing at the little things in life that we all take for granted. While we all here will miss her I know that heaven has added another amazing angel and that we will all be reunited one day and dance together.
Dear Keith, Kimberly and Gracie:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We remember Taylor’s loving smile and her crazy jokes at the work parties we attended where she was present. Her 22 years were a blessing to all who knew her. Boy time flies – can’t believe she was 22! God bless you all.
Fondly, Janine, Rick, Morgan and Sydney
Keith and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you all, you all did an amazing job of giving Taylor a great life no matter how short. She brought light into many peoples lives regardless of her condition. – mike k.
My prayers go out to the Benton family. I am so sorry for your loss. Although I never met Taylor I saw plenty of pictures and heard a lot of wonderful stories about her with working for Mr. Benton. Please treasure all the wonderful memories that she provided here and know that she has just entered the next chapter of a wonderful life. No more pains. She smiling down on you and the family. I pray that God gives you all the joy and comfort that’s needed to endure. Take care and be Blessed.
We send our sincere hope that your rich memories of Taylor will offer each of you strength and peace during this difficult time. We will crank up the James Taylor and dance for her on Saturday! Sincerely, Aunt Wendy and Jeff
My deepest sympathy in your loss of a remarkable young woman. I am unable to attend, but will be thinking of you. Taylor endured so much and with such grace.
kim,keith,and gracie,
Our thoughts are with all of you at this time .God got another angel
I am so sorry for your loss! I know God has made Taylor whole now and free of any pain. I am sure she is dancing in heaven, listening to her favorite music, laughing and telling knock knock jokes. I wanted to tell you that I can’t imagine any child in this world having a more perfect family than Taylor! It was such a blessing and honor to work with her and to meet you all. Brooke loved you all and I want to thank you for being so kind to her. May God keep you strong in your faith.
Kim Keith and Gracie My love and prayers are with you. We were blessed to have Taylor for 22yrs, one of God’s angles. There are so many things that I remember about Taylor,my first beautiful GreatGrand child. Her knock/knock jokes, her special place to dine Red Robin. Her many accomplishments. Her graduation. She’s free of pain, laughing and playing in God’s garden. Shes chasing a butterfly, it must be purple. I wore purple Sat. for you Taylor, your favoriate color. I love you Taylor. Your forever in my heart. Great Nan
I made my donation to the Summert PlaygroundFund. i wantedto bewhete children were playing. My love to you all Gram.& Great Nan.
Gracie I’ll be thinkin of you when you and your band will be playing in Fl.