Dr John R Benson

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.