Hezekiah Benton Sr.

November 14, 2014

Deacon Hezekiah Benton, Sr. was born October 8, 1913 in Newton, Baker County, Georgia to the late Mr. Robert and Mrs. Susie Jackson Benton.  Deacon Benton confessed CHRIST at an early age and joined Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church.  He attended Baker County Public Schools.

Deacon Benton was joined in Holy Matrimony to Rosie Mae Hayes from Miller County, Georgia in 1936. They were married for 47 years until Mrs. Rosie M. Benton went Home to be with THE LORD.  Seven children were born to this beautiful union.

Deacon Benton was an avid farmer by trade.  He was later employed by the Decatur County Public School System as a custodian and bus driver for 25 years.  Deacon Benton had the distinct privilege of serving under four superintendents.

Deacon Benton was ordained as a Deacon and served faithfully for many years at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Damascus, Georgia.

Deacon Benton also served the community at-large.  He was a lifetime member of the Sons of Colquitt Masonic Lodge and Prince Hall Masons Order, as well as a member of the South Georgia-North Florida Vocal Singers Group.  Deacon Benton also served as the President of the Thankful Heart Singing Convention and as the Secretary of the Springfield Enterprise Association.

Later in life, Deacon Benton married Clara E. Arnett on November 8, 1985.  Ms. Arnett brought to this union two daughters, Shirley Arnett and Cynthia Arnett.  Each daughter has one child, Ashley Arnett and Jerrica Arnett.  Deacon Benton and all of his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews from his first marriage, along with his children and grandchildren from his second marriage, had spent more than twenty years as a loving family before he went Home to be with THE LORD on November 14, 2014.

Deacon Benton leaves to cherish his memories a wife, Mrs. Clara Arnett-Benton; his children: Presider Lemar Jones (Mattie), Mr. Samuel Benton, both of Orlando Florida, Mrs. Rosie B. Childs, Warner Robins, Georgia, Mrs. Alva B. Fuller, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dr. Thelma D. Benton, Tampa, Florida, Reverend Hezekiah Benton, Jr., Snellville, Georgia, and Mr. Arlester Benton (Marilyn), East Point, Georgia; stepdaughters,  Ms. Shirley Arnett, Stone Mountain, Georgia and Ms. Cynthia Arnett, Smyrna, Georgia; god-family, Reverend Silas and Mrs. Mildred Swint, Killeen, Texas; brothers in-law:  Mr.   Rosselle Hayes, Jacksonville, Florida, Mr. Johnnie Robinson, Bainbridge, Georgia, Deacon Herbert Bell, Rev. Thomas Bell,  Rev. Simeon Bell, all of Bainbridge, Georgia; sisters-in-law:  Mrs. Christine Bush, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida , Mrs. Pearly Mae Benton, Melbourne, Florida, and Mrs. Stella Mae Jones, Boykin, Georgia; ten Grandchildren,; ten great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

Deacon Benton was preceded in death by his first wife, Mrs. Rosie H. Benton; his son, Mr. Zirie James Benton Sr.; and all of his siblings.

Services will be Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 1 p.m. at First African Baptist Church, with Rev. Hezekiah Benton Jr. as eulogist and Bishop L. Donte Smith presider. Interment wil be at Jonas Lobe Cemetery with Active Pallbearers:  Anthony Benton, Ziria Benton Jr., Chad Bryant, Danny Childs, Bryce Hall, Keith Hall. HONORARY PALLBEARERS:  Sons of Colquitt Lodge and Deacons.

Guyton Brothers Funeral Home is in charge of services and condolences may be shared on their web site, www.Guytonbrothersfuneralhome.com.