Benge, Harold Lee

Mr. Harold Lee Benge entered into eternal rest on June 13th at Select Specialty Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. Born January 10, 1934 in Hamilton, Ohio to the late Bart and Geneva Benge, he moved to Ft. Gordon as a Chaplain's Assistant in the U.S. Army. Upon the urging of the Pastor at Harlem Baptist Church, Rev. J.C. Cook, who would pick up Mr. Benge at the base, he attended and helped with the music program at Harlem Baptist Church where he enjoyed the beginning of a relationship with the South.

A graduate of Olivet Nazarene University, after his discharge he returned to Hamilton and married the love of his life, Patricia Ferry Benge, and accepted a position as Minister of Music at the Dearing Baptist Church in Dearing, GA. His wife taught piano as he taught voice and conducting to many area students while engaged in his beloved church work. As years passed he taught high school at Harlem High School where he was nominated as STAR teacher and received many accolades including a dedication of the school yearbook. On his 85th birthday, Mr. Benge received the Mayor's award from the City of Harlem for the notable investment of his time and energy to the school system and the community. Mr. Benge was the epitome of the Southern Christian gentleman. His life was a blessing to others as he believed that humility was the hallmark of a servant's heart. On the second day of July in 1972 he lost his beloved Pat. It was a grief that would forever endure and from which he never recovered.

As the years passed, he served as the Minister of Music in various churches: First Baptist Church of Belvedere, SC; First Baptist Church of Sylvester, GA; Sweetwater Baptist Church of Thomson, GA; First Baptist Church of Warrenton, GA; and the First Baptist Church of Graniteville, SC. He also taught at Warren County High School in Warrenton, GA and tutored English at August State University. His survivors include his brother Denny Benge, his sister Frances Benge Pearce, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Robert, Edward, and Donald.

The church service in Augusta will be at Christ Church Presbyterian, 4201 Southern Pines Drive, Evans, GA, Friday, June 16th, at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Ryan Bigham and Dr. Roy Head officiating. Funeral Services in Hamilton, Ohio, will be at Webb Noonan Kidd Funeral Home, 240 Ross Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio, at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20th. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Hamilton, Ohio.

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Published by Journal-News on Jun. 18, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Harold Benge

Sponsored by Webb Noonan Kidd Funeral Home.

9 Entries

Stephen Hansen

June 25, 2023

Mr Benge was a friend and mentor in my early career as a teacher. My wife and I enjoyed our conversations and time together. He was an avid supporter of high school theater and we loved him dearly.

Mary Helen Crews

June 17, 2023

I remember Mr. Benge from First Baptist, Belvedere, SC. I remember he and his wife as being kind, caring, and they were wonderful with he children's choirs.

Leroy Newman

June 16, 2023

I also knew Mr. Benge as a student. He was homeroom teacher to many of us for most of our high school years. Years after graduation we would see him in Augusta Mall walking. He would always have time to stop and talk, always the Christian Southern Gentleman.

George Brown

June 16, 2023

Mr Benge was my favorite English teach at Harlem 30 some odd years ago. He was strict but fair, and I will surely miss him. We saw each other often at the grocery store and I was always glad to see him. Mr. Benge, you are loved and will be certainly missed.

Sandra Carraway

June 16, 2023

I knew Mr. Benge as a student and later as a colleague when he taught at Harlem High. He was always a kind, gentle spirit. I´m sure today he is rejoicing in heaven. May God bless his family and friends.

Dr. Sylvia Martin

June 16, 2023

Mr. Benge was my favorite teacher in high school. He taught my senior English class always challenging us to think outside of the box. I was also in the choir where he and his wife both helped. He always wanted what was best for us, and is the reason that I went into the field of education. My condolences to the family. He was truly a wonderful person!

Dr. Sylvia Martin

June 16, 2023

Mr Benge was my favorite teacher in high school. He challenged us to think outside of the box in our writings. He taught us so much in my senior English class, always encouraging. He is the reason that I went into the teaching field. He is the role model that I looked up to. My condolences to the family.

Mae

June 15, 2023

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Karen Smiley Langhan

June 15, 2023

Mr. Benge was a huge part of my high school years. I was part of his choir and enjoyed singing the music he led. My mother was his good friend. I remember him blessing his food at the teachers lunch table. He was a wonderful example to many young people. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Karen Smiley Langhan

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