Mary Ann Thaggard Benton, 84, died unexpectedly at Candler Hospital on Saturday, January 11, 2025.

Mary was born in Toombs County, Georgia, to the late Mary Nell Rogers Thaggard and Stephen R. Thaggard.

Born blind, Mary was a tenacious, fantastic woman with a Rain Man mind who could recall numbers, names, and even hard-to-pronounce prescriptions without hesitation. In her early years, she attended Macon School for the Blind and New York School for the Blind, where she took voice lessons. Mary had a beautiful voice and could play the piano by ear. Her determination to never be in a nursing home afforded her the independence to live on her own until 2025.

She will be missed by all who know her. The family would like to thank Mary’s wonderful aides, Earnestine and Pat Moore, who helped her for many years allowing her to live independently. Dr.  Remler cared for Mary until retirement; Mary finally warmed up to Dr.  Griffin, his replacement. Mary received excellent and compassionate care at Candler Source, and the whole team loved and knew Miss Mary.

In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by her husband of 16 years, Jack Aloysius Benton, who died in 2011; and her younger brother, James Edward "Eddie" Thaggard. 

Mary leaves behind two sisters, Sandra T. Crews (Carson) and Susan T. Connelly (Marty Johnson), both of Savannah, and a brother, Stephen R. Thaggard (Kathryn) of Chapala, Mexico.

Mary will be laid to rest next to her husband in a private graveside service in Brewton Cemetery in Claxton, Georgia.