ESTELLA BENTON, affectionately known as “MA BENTON”.  She was born to the late Eddie Lee Sarcus and Elizabeth Simpson Sarcus.

She confessed to Christ at an early age and became a Lane Metropolitan Christian Methodist Church member.

She attended Jane Adams Business Careers Center, Cuyahoga Community College, John Carroll University, and Urban Ministries Training program of Cleveland State University.  Licensed Practical Nurse, Real Estrand Urban & Suburban Realty Company, and Property Manager for Veteran Affairs.

Community:  Past Administrative Past Secretary of the Advisory Board of the Ohio Youth Commission.

Past Treasury/Secretary of the Cleveland Association of Real Estate Brokers

Past Treasury of the National Society of Real Estate Appraisers Northern Ohio Chapter.

Presently:  Precinct Committee Person for Shaker Heights Precinct North

Member of the Executive Board of Shaker Heights Democratic Club

Member of the National Society of Real Estate Appraisers

Religious:  Born again Christian Charter member of the Avon Avenue Baptist Church.

Past Organizer of the Cleveland Sub-District of Baptist Woman Hattie Jackson Guild.

Past Superintendent of the Ohio Baptist General Convention Children’s Band

Past Superintendent of the Ohio Baptist General Convention Hattie Jackson Guild

Past Superintendent of the Northern Ohio Baptist District Association Hattie Jackson Guild

Served Avon Avenue Baptist Church as Financial Secretary, Church Secretary, member of the Memorial Ministry, Nurses Ministry, Trustee Board, Assistant Treasurer, Youth Director, and Sunday School Superintendent.

Until called home to be with the Lord. Director Christian Board Education, Sunday School Teacher, Deaconess, Supervisor Hattie Jackson Guild, Member Courtesy Guild, Missionary Ministry, Baptist Training Union, Bible School Teacher.  Certified Teacher by the Evangelical Teaching Training Association. Certified Dean by the National Baptist Convention Sunday School Publishing Board.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, James, and three devoted daughters, Angela (Eugene), Maria (Johnny), and Karen.  Like daughters Rosalind Dancy, and Eugenia (Carlos) three godchildren, Lamika, Courtney, and Aryonn, brothers Charles C-(deceased)(Thelma), Charles Circus (Thelma), Eugene, sisters, Rita, Julia (Bennie) Carolyn (Bernard), Georgia (Donald), Teritha, Katie (Desmond) and Sharon.  Stepmother Willie Bell Circus(deceased), twelve grandchildren Corey, Rodney Jr., Ryan, Ariel, Aesha, Rashad, Rhyse, Alysha, Ronald, Darnell, Joseph, and Christopher.  Sixteen (16) great-grandchildren.  Close friends Bennie J Williams-Roper, Patricia Brantley, Nephews, Nieces, and a host of relatives and friends.