Magnolia Network’s newest renovation series Happy to Be Home With the Benkos dropped on 9 April 2023. And thus it introduced to viewers a photographer-turned-interior designer Gray Benko and her handy husband Mike Benko. People just loved to see them bring color and happiness to historic homes in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
Also, other than Gray’s whimsical personality and her love and work equation with her husband, viewers have also loved to see the family dynamic on the program, of especially her parents. So, in this writing, let us tell you who these folks are.
Who Are Magnolia Network’s Gray Benko Parents?
Magnolia Network’s Gray Benko’s parents, as seen on the show, are Mary Highsmith and Joe “Grumpy” Highsmith. Let us tell you about each one of them now.
Meet Mary Highsmith, Gray Benko’s Mother
On her social media posts, Gary Highsmith has often thanked her mom Mary Highsmith for being the very best mother and a best friend to her in every way. Of course, teasingly she has also thanked her for making her get braces.
Then, this one time, on Mother’s Day, she showed people on the internet a beautiful picture of them together. And next to it, she wrote “This is the face of a girl who is so grateful to be able to spend this day with her mother.”
Mary also is great as a grandmother. When not at her desk, she is believed to be playing with her grandchildren, or when not that, enjoying the outdoors.
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Mary Highsmith Age
Mary C Highsmith was born in February 1948. So, she turned 75 years old in 2023.
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Mary Highsmith Job
In Happy to Be Home With the Benkos, it may seem like Gray Benko’s dad is the only one with experience in the construction and design film. But, that is not so. Mary Highsmith also though not taking part in building or designing directly, has overseen the majority of accounting functions for their family’s Highsmith Construction.
The company’s website introduces Mary as their bookkeeper and goes on to state the following facts about her.
For over 20 years, Mary has overseen the majority of accounting functions for the company. And she is responsible for a whole lot of behind-the-scenes work that keeps Highsmith Construction running like a well-oiled machine.
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Is Mary Highsmith On Instagram?
Yes. Mary Highsmith could be found on Instagram @maryhighsmith as of 17 April 2023. There were only 2 posts here as of this time though.
One could also give Mary a follow on her ‘Mary Highsmith’ Facebook. But, even here she barely showed glimpses of her life.
Meet Joe “Grumpy” Highsmith, Gray Benko’s Father
Gray Benko’s father is Joe “Grumpy” Highsmith. Or, his full name is Joseph F Highsmith. He is a former alumnus of Clemson University and Ridgeland High School, Ridgeland, South Carolina.
Gray also is very much fond of her father.
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Joe “Grumpy” Highsmith Age
Because Joe was born in August 1950, he turned 72 years old in 2022.
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Joe “Grumpy” Highsmith Job
At Highsmith Construction, Joe “Grumpu” Highsmith holds the position of owner and President. His BIO on the company’s website goes on to describe that with a lifetime of industry experience, Joe brings a level of unmatched expertise to each project, no matter how big or small. (caldwell.edu)
Highsmith Construction was founded in 1952 by Farris Highsmith, Joe’s father. Afterward, just at 12, Joe started spending his summers working for his father, developing an understanding of the construction process and custom home building. He went on to get a Construction Science degree from Clemson University’s School of Architecture and then returned to Hilton Head Island to carry on the family business.
Fast forward to today, with Joe at the helm and Mary by his side, the company has fulfilled unimaginable milestones.
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Joe “Grumpy” Highsmith On Instagram?
Joe “Grumpy” Highsmith did have an Instagram account @highcon2 as of 17 April 2023. But it included no posts as such at the time.
One could also see Joe on ‘Joe Highsmith’ Facebook.
Related FAQs
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Are Gray Benko’s Parents Still Together?
Indeed. Gray Benko’s parents are still married and together. In fact, on 24 February 2023, they celebrated their 44th marriage anniversary. “Not a bad way to celebrate 44 years of marriage!”, Gray’s mom had teased a beautiful glance from their celebratory getaway.
Even viewers of Magnolia Network have gotten a glimpse into the life of the folks together.
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Where Do Gray Benko’s Parents Reside?
Gray Benko’s parents are had been residing in Bluffton, South Carolina as of April 2023.
Also, her dad on his Facebook mentioned Ridgeland, South Carolina as his hometown.
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How Many Kids Do Gray Benko Parents Have?
Gray Benko is not the only child of her parents. There is one more and she is Gray’s sister Catherine Highsmith Deutsch. On her IG @chighsm, she introduces herself as a mom of two and the wife of Stephen Deutsch. Because she was born in September 1984, she turned 38 years old in 2022. And this makes her still younger than her sister, with the real name Kathleen Gary Benko, who turned 41 in June 2022.
Speaking of Catherine again, she mentioned working as an HR Director at Ally Financial in Charlotte, North Carolina from October 2010 until now. She also formerly worked as a financial recruiter at IMR and even before that studied Marketing and Communication Studies at Clemson University (Class of 2006).
