MLGW employee, Millington resident dies of COVID-19 complications

Terry Benton, an employee of Memphis Light, Gas and Water, Army veteran and Millington resident, died Monday of complications from COVID-19.

Benton, 61, was the younger brother of Ronald Benton, pastor at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee. 

“Last Monday (March 30), my baby sister called me saying they couldn’t get Terry on the phone, and they went and checked and found him unresponsive,” Benton said. “His wife is sick with COPD and was unconscious in her bedroom, and they both had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.”

Terry Benton died a week later. His wife recovered and returned home on Wednesday.

“He was diabetic, so that might’ve been a factor,” Ronald Benton said. “But this virus is nothing to ignore. This is real. My brother is dead, and our family – my sister-in-law – we’re all grieving.”

“He was a great man that loved to do good things for other people,” Ronald Benton said. “When the family got together, he was the favorite uncle that all the nieces and nephews gravitated to because he usually had some pocket change for them.”

After Terry Benton tested positive for COVID-19, the rest of the family was tested too because they were together three weeks ago.

“Two others tested positive, but they’re doing OK, too,” Ronald Benton said.

There will be a small private ceremony for Terry Benton on Monday, April 13.

“Since he was a veteran, his body will be committed back to the ground at the VA in Memphis,” Ronald Benton said. “Then when all this is over and we can gather again, we’ll have a celebration of his life to remember him.

“But until then, we’re calling each other and checking on each other and trying to stay well during all this.”

Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com or at 731-425-9751.