Mary Etta Benford was born on July 23, 1942, to the late Bessie Tyler and William Harris Benford.  Mary left this world on July 3, 2020. Mary moved from Tutwiler, Mississippi to Chicago, Illinois in 1955.

She worked as a Chef for Keith Restaurant alongside her mother.  She was the only child. She moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in the spring of 1967.  She worked at Clock Bar, Children's Hospital, and Carousel Hotel.  She retired from the University of Cincinnati.  Mary was a very loving and sweet lady.  She was baptized at Mt. Calvary Church in Tutwiler, Mississippi.  After she moved to Cincinnati, she joined the First Baptist Church of Mt. Auburn.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her great-grandchildren, Erik Jr. and Zion.

Mary leaves to mourn her one and only daughter, Carolyn Taylor, and her husband John; Walter (Paula) Moore and Cleotha (Ann) Nichols.  Grandchildren: Tamara (Erik, Sr) Rucker, Bridgette (the late Randy) Jones, Theresa, and Pamela. Great-grandchildren: De'Andre, Aaliyah, Tierra, Kierra, Maronique, Maly'k, DeShaun, Anthony, and  Monroe.  Great-great-grandchildren: Javon, Jaheim, De'Andre Jr., Jewels, Amir, Jermiah, Jadyen, Jace, and Journee.  She leaves her close friend, Marlene Richardson, and a host of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Visitation is from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Monday, July 20, 2020 at the Walker Funeral Home - Walnut Hills Chapel, 2625 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati  (45206).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 11:00 am.

Interment will follow at Vine Street Hill Cemetery, 3701 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220.

To share a memory of Mary or leave a special message for the Benford family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home, 2625 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati (45206)  is honored to serve the  Benford family.  Please call (513) 251-6200 or visit www.WalkerFuneralHome.com for additional information.