Niccola Ann Benz

Niccola Ann Benz of Clinton, MS, passed away on December 30, 2025, at Edgewood Nursing

Home in Byram.

Nicki was born on June 18, 1942, in Longview, Texas, to Lillian Florine Hobbs and Stanley

Cullen Hobbs.

Nicki lived a life defined by love, faith, and service to others. Whether in the classroom as an

elementary school teacher, on television as “Mrs. Ann” on Romper Room, or in the choir loft of

her church, she had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen, valued, and loved.

Her servant’s heart found its fullest expression in caring for those most in need. Nicki welcomed

many children into her home as a foster mother, offering them compassion, guidance, and

unconditional love. She also founded Buried Treasures Home, a Christian ministry devoted to

helping women find healing, restoration, and hope through faith.

Of all her roles, Nicki treasured being a mother and “Gran” most of all. Her family was the

center of her life, and her legacy lives on in the lives she shaped, the faith she shared, and the

love she gave so freely.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Benz; her granddaughter, Caroline Williams;

her parents, Florine Hobbs and Stanley Hobbs; and her siblings, Bobby Hobbs and Francine

Brown.

She is survived by her four sons: Hunter (Carol) Whittington of Pensacola, FL; Clay (Traci)

Whittington of Brookhaven; Scot (Gwenn) Whittington of Fernandina Beach, FL; and Doug

(Elaine) Williams of Clinton; her twelve beautiful grandchildren—Taylor, Ashlyn, and Jackson

Whittington; Reagan, Riley, Anna Reid, and William Whittington; Raleigh and McKinley Cross;

and Esther, Lily, and Benaiah Williams; as well as her siblings, Stanley Hobbs and Mary Lane.

Services will be held on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel at First Baptist

Church, Jackson, MS. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service