By Billy Davis

A graveside service is Saturday for former Panola County supervisor Mack Benson, who passed away Wednesday evening.

Benson died of natural causes at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. He was 79.

The graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. at Antioch Cemetery in Courtland, with Mark Jones officiating. Visitation is Friday from 5 to 7 at Dickins Funeral Home in Batesville.

Benson represented District 3, where he moved in and out of office for several decades until he decided in 2007 not to seek re-election. He was serving as vice-president when he retired in 2008.  

Benson was a trustee for Northwest Community College and was active in the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, among other affiliations. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Batesville.

At county meetings, the longtime county supervisor was known for his good humor, often making off-the-cuff remarks and grinning at the resulting laughter.

In District 3, he left behind a well-maintained system of public roads, said current supervisor Gary Thompson.  

“Mr. Mack got more roads paved, when he was in office, than at any time before,” said Thompson.

Benson is survived by wife Tommye Dean Benson, three daughters, and five grandchildren.

His complete obituary is included in the Obituary section of Panolian.com.