Dr. John Ronald Benson, 82, of Martin, passed away Tuesday morning, November 19, 2019, at the Hope Memory Care Center, in Dacula, GA.
Born June 6, 1937, in Tampa, Florida, he was the son of the late James Snowden and Mamie Maybell Miller Benson. He was the husband of the late Carol Annette Blanton Benson, whom he married December 26, 1959 in durham NC.. A pastor and college professor, he held a Masters in Christian Education and a doctorate in Psychology. He taught at Emanuel College and was director of education at Toccoa Falls College. He served as a pastor at Clarkes Creek Baptist, Bowersville Baptist Church, and for 22years at the Shady Grove Baptist Church, of Belton, South Carolina. He also pursued other interest including, scuba diving, truck driver, locksmith, private investigator, watch repairman, undertaker, rescue volunteer, and shade tree mechanic.
Survivors include his daughters Ali Cunningham, Camdenton MO, Sally Walker, Martin, GA; and Jill Johnson Simpsonville, SC; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren.
Services will be held 1pm Saturday, at the Shady Grove Baptist Church, with Rev. Daryle Hawthorne and Larry Jordan. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
The body will be place in the church 11am Saturday, and the family will receive friends there until the funeral hour.
John Benson was a very special man. We attended the church he pastored in Bowersville, GA, shortly after we were married in 1977, and his sermons were always insightful and helpful. We were amazed to learn just now of all the other things he had done in his life!
We wish to send our condolences to the family. While we know he is rejoicing in the presence of his Lord and Savior, those who love him must deal with the empty place he has left behind. Our prayers are for your peace and comfort at this time.
We were fortunate to reconnect with his daughter Sally a few years ago, but unfortunately, have lost contact information since then (and we don’t remember where you live, Sally!) God’s blessings on the family.
Lee and I enjoyed attending Dr. Benson’s classes at Toccoa Falls College (1965-1969) His classes were very practical and I knew has had a great influence in my ministry. He would always announce a test as a sharing experience. I will always remember my first car, an Oldsmobile dynamo convertible. Dr. Benson was very honest about the car. Lee and I enjoyed the car for two years up Maine. The church young people liked riding in it with the top down.
We are praying for you. May the good Shepherd give you peace and comfort.
A great man with a heart after God
The Bensons were very special to me in my years at TFC. Rev. Benson was a great teacher. His common sense approach and his wisdom were evident in his teaching. I always appreciated his gentle humor and stories of his childhood, particularly those that included his dad. Praying that his family will be comforted to know that there are many of us who thought very highly of him and know that he had a positive impact on our lives.
So sorry to learn of John and Annette passing. They were great friends and neighbours of ours in Florida for 16 years. Our sincere condolences to Sally and family.