Herbert Benton

HERBERT BENTON

William Herbert Benton, Sr., resident of Cleveland, TN, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2009, in a local healthcare facility with family members by his side. He was born on March 28, 1918 in Chattanooga, TN. He was the son of the late Robert Miles Benton and Agnes Bryant Benton; and was preceded in death by his brother, Cletus H. Benton and sister, Reba Benton Sellers. He was a graduate of Bradley High School and attended Wiley School of Business in Chattanooga, TN. He was a veteran of WWII, enlisting in the Army Air Corp on January 1, 1942, and served his country for four years with overseas duty in the Pacific Theater. He has been the owner of Herbert Benton Used Cars, Inc. for more than 62 years. He was a faithful member of the North Cleveland Church of God and a charter member of the Unity Sunday School Class since 1948. He served on the Pastors Council a number of terms and was chairman of the Ushers Committee from 1962 until 2005. In special recognition he was commended for faithful and exceptional service as chairman of this committee. Herbert was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed many hunting trips to Western Montana. He also loved gardening.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Jeanette Ledford Benton; sons and wives, Herbert Benton, Jr. and Fay French Benton of Hiawassee, GA, David Benton and Sandra York Benton and Phillip Benton all of Cleveland. Two grandchildren, Grant Benton and wife Jamie Benton of Redmond, Oregon and Joy Benton Bates and husband Kevin Bates and two great grandchildren, Ethan and Georgia Bates of Cleveland. Three half sisters, Elsie Kirksey, Barbara Brock and Lorene Brown of Cleveland, TN.

Funeral services for Mr. Benton will be held Sunday, January 11, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. at the North Cleveland Church of God Chapel. Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with Grant Benton, Brad Benton, Owen Sellers, Randy Randolph, Keith Ledford, Kevin Bates, Roger York and Randy Lonas serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Unity Sunday School Class and ushers of the North Cleveland Church of God.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Cleveland Church of God Ladies Ministries or the Gideons.

The family will receive friends Saturday, January 10, 2009, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the North Cleveland Church of God in the Bryant Fellowship Hall.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Grissom Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.grissomfh.net .