Mary Anne Miller Benoist, 80, passed away on June 27, 2017 at Starkville Manor Nursing Home. She was a retired Administrative Assistant of the Society for the Study of Southern Literature in the English Department at Mississippi State University. She was a member of Longview United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and Longview Homemaker's Association. She was a very dedicated member of the church and the community.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. C. L. Miller and Norma Miller; and a sister, Arwin Boyette.

She is survived by her husband, Gerold E. Benoist, Sr.; daughters, Gay Willcutt (Jim), and Cheryl Dill (Dennis); son, Gene Benoist (Penny), all of Starkville, MS; sisters, Gwen Husley of Biloxi, MS, and Nancie Upchurch of Starkville, MS; brother, Charles Miller of McCool, MS; grandchildren, Ashton Benoist, Brittany Benoist, Bree Anne McMinn, Garland Willcutt, Cody Dill, and Maddie Dill.

Visitation is scheduled for today from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, MS, with the funeral service immediately following in the funeral home chapel. Rev. Sarah Jo Adams-Wilson and Dr. Prentiss Gordon will conduct the service. Burial will be in Memorial Garden Park Cemetery.

Active pallbearers are: Jim Willcutt, Dennis Dill, Cody Dill, Miller McMinn, Johnny Upchurch, and Jack Newell. Honorary pallbearers are: Charles Henry Hall, George Verrall, and John Walker.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Longview United Methodist Church, 225 Longview Road, Starkville, MS 39759.