Benjamin M. Garland

Benjamin McCaskill Garland, 79, of Macon, passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2022.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Vineville United Methodist Church in the Christian Life Center, with the Reverends Phil DeMore and Grace Guyton officiating.  The family will greet friends following the service. Interment will be private at Jackson City Cemetery.

Born February 18, 1943, in Jackson, Georgia, son of Col. Benjamin B. and Mollie Watkins Garland, grandson of the late Col. and Mrs. W.E. Watkins of Jackson, Georgia, and the late Col. and Mrs. James J. Garland of Atlanta, Georgia.

After graduating from the public schools in Jackson in 1961, Ben received his BBA degree from the University of Georgia in 1965.  At the University, he was president of his freshman and sophomore class, vice-president of Sigma Nu Fraternity, and a member of the student council and Phi Kappa.

Ben was a graduate of the Walter F. George School of Law Mercer University with a Juris Doctorate degree, graduating in June of 1969. While in law school, he served as Executive Editor of the Mercer Law Review, President of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, a member of the Moot Court Team and Blue Key Honorary Society. He spent his entire career of nearly fifty years at the law firm of Hall, Bloch, Garland, and Meyer. Ben was the 2011 recipient of the Judge William Augustus Bootle Professionalism Award from the Macon Bar Association, the highest honor that the association awards.  He was a member of the State Bar of Georgia’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 1986 to 1996. Ben was a former chairman of the Board of Visitors at Mercer Law School and chairman of the Board of Trustees of Stratford Academy. He was active with many charitable and civic boards in the middle Georgia community. Ben was a member of Vineville United Methodist Church. But above all, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  

Ben is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Carol Adams Garland, of Macon; sons, Benjamin McCaskill Garland, Jr. (Sarah), of Decatur, Georgia and James Adams Garland, of Thomasville, Georgia; daughter, Elizabeth Garland Tucker (Kent), of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren: Benjamin McCaskill Garland, III, Josephine Clay Garland, Elizabeth Pierce Garland, Louie James Garland, Kent Bennington Tucker, Jr., and Margaret McCaskill Tucker; brother, John Byrd Garland (Tyler), of Jackson, Georgia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Dr. William Jay Garland.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated caregivers for their compassionate service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ben’s honor to Vineville United Methodist Church, at https://vinevillemethodist.com/ or 2045 Vineville Ave. Macon, GA 31204, the Walker F. George School of Law Mercer University at https://www.mercer.edu/give/, or to the donor’s favorite Charity.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s at the Cupola, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 6324 Peake Rd, Macon, GA 31210 has charge of the arrangements.

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