James E. Benton Sr.
1958 - 2017
James E. Benton Sr.
1958 - 2017
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1958
DIED
2017
James Benton Obituary
April 14, 1958 - November4, 2017
Raleigh
James Emmanuel Benton, Sr. was born on April 14, 1958, to the union of James Luther and Mary Alice Benton in Asheville, North Carolina. He was the oldest of five siblings. James played a significant role on numerous committees and was an advocate for the disabled community in Raleigh, NC and across the Country.
James was preceded in death by his parents James Luther Benton and Mary Alice Benton of Asheville, North Carolina. He is survived by his lovely wife Sharon Nervik Benton; son, James E. Benton, Jr; daughter, Sharon Renee Benton, all of Raleigh, North Carolina; sisters Delinthia Annette Benton-May, Denise Machelle Benton, Faye Delois Benton (Victor), and Jacqueline Renee Benton (Robert), all of Cleveland, Ohio; Grandchildren, Knowledge Noyeek Dowd, Azariah Renee Dowd, and Isaiah Judah Dowd, of Raleigh, North Carolina; Aunts, Gloria Louise Benton, Angelyn Benton, and Linda Valentine (James) of Asheville, North Carolina; Cousins(Brothers) Gregory Benton (Cassandra) of Asheville, North Carolina, Kevin (Boza) Benton (Teri) of Los Angeles, CA, a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends.
The family will receive friends on Friday afternoon, November 10th from 5 pm until 7 pm at Carlton Grey Funeral Home, 2810 Kidd Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610.
A homegoing celebration will be held on Saturday, November 11th at Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2723 Clark Ave, Raleigh, NC 27607 with viewing from 11 am to 12 pm and services beginning at 12 pm. Interment will be Monday, November 13th at Green Hill Cemetery, 25 New Leicester Hwy, Asheville, North Carolina at 12 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be made to the Raleigh Blind Bowler's Association. Carlton Gray Funeral & Cremation Service assisting the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
March 29, 2018
March 29, 2018
March 29, 2018
March 29, 2018
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Renee' Benton
March 29, 2018
I Love you Daddy and I truly miss you! To see the Love others had for you along with mine is such a heart warmer! You are Unforgettable for sure! #BentonStrong
Mary Brake
November 21, 2017
James was a shining light in the community! I always loved seeing him when he came by the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. He will be missed by so many!
November 14, 2017
Rest easy Mr. Benton. You where loved and admired by so many people.
Jill DeAngelis
Amedeos'
Barbara Neese
November 14, 2017
James will be missed by so many people. I first heard of how he had done so much for Jeff Tucker from Jeff's mother Ruby Tucker. Ruby passed a few years ago and Jeff and Melissa whom are both blind have talked about their friend James and Sharon for so long. I got to meet James and Sharon last year in Mooresville N C at the bowling alley. They were such a happy couple. My prayers go out to every one who ever crossed pathes with James. He left a big impression on me. GOD Bless
Nina Weldon
November 13, 2017
Condolences to the family of Mr. Benton. My sister and I had the pleasure of sitting at the table with Mr. and Mrs. Benton at the Raleigh Neighborhood Exchange Event in 2016.
My first impression of Mr. Benton, both my sister and I agreed that he had a voice that would cause people to listen. Such a kind man.
God bless you Mrs. Benton, family and friends. Our prayers are with you.
Elder Nina P. Weldon, Pastor
buddy liverman
November 11, 2017
I miss him I have grieved about this saw him 24 July at bus station he talked hugged he said he was hot and he could not breathe very well. we miss him Sharon we are sorry God bless you and give you peace.
November 10, 2017
I remember James so fondly when we served on the Board for the NCLBPH. Graduated to a heavenly place far too soon. Jimmie Butts
November 10, 2017
We will miss you for a while, but we will meet when God gathers his his own.
May the blessings continue with your memories be as always.
Tidewater Blind Blowing League.
John Mabry --President
Melissa & Dan Barry
November 10, 2017
We are for forever grateful to James for helping provide insight and services to our daughter Adia. We will miss his spectacular voice, his incredible knowledge and caring, and his, surety.
November 10, 2017
May you find comfort and peace in your memories of your loved one. My the God of peace comfort you. 2 Thessalonians 2, 16,17
Sally M Owens
November 10, 2017
Sharon and family, I may not make it to the service on Saturday, but my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bruno Toffolo
November 9, 2017
I'll always remember James' seeming philosophy of life which is to live, love, laugh, and "let's try to do even better."
RIP, my friend.....Bruno
Regina Gore / Evans
November 9, 2017
I was a student at Governor Moorehead back in the 1970's and James was a fellow classmate. Sharon I am sorry for your loss and you are in our prayers
Love Regina Gore Evans
Jill McMillan
November 7, 2017
James was a good and kind man who had a positive influence on many people. He will be greatly missed. I am grateful to have known him, and I am grateful that because of James, I know Sharon also. My prayers are with her and the family.
Vanessa Lowery
November 7, 2017
I first met James when we were in either the third or fourth grade. We attended the Governor Morehead School for the Blind. The sense of humor and love of life which I saw when we were children followed him into adulthood. Furthermore, his dedicated passion to help people began when he was a teenager, and that passion never lessened. Even though my family and I moved away from North Carolina while James and I were in high school, I made a point of staying in touch with him, and I never could have imagined that my last phone conversation with him just a few days before God called him home would indeed be the last time I would hear his voice. James will be tremendously missed by countless people, but no doubt--his legacy will live on for decades to come.
My prayers go out to Sharon, his sisters, the children, the grandchildren, and other family members.
JoAnn Wood
November 7, 2017
The advocacy, role modeling, teaching and motivation talks of James Benton will live in the hearts of all the students he mentored, all the organizations providing services, activities, and advocacy for persons with vision loss where he was both a leader and participant, and all his co-workers at Services for the Blind where he was loved and respected. James, please be at peace with Jesus, knowing you gave us all standard within our own roles to always reach "just a little bit more".
Vicky Coerper
November 7, 2017
Mr. James Benton facilitated a class called "I Can See you Now - Dealing with Blindness) for the UNC Healthcare system. He was such an awesome facilitator and did a great job of engaging his audience. I've known James for more than 7 years because of this class, and was very saddened to learn of his passing. My condolences to all of his many friends and his dear family!
Terrell Jones
November 7, 2017
I will truly miss you JB. May God continue to bless the Benton Family.
Larry Allen
November 6, 2017
The passing of James 'Sonny' Benton is a personal loss for me. I've known James virtually all my life.
We were student/patients at the Asheville Orthopedic Hospital and School in the early 1970's. I was born as a carrier of Cerebral Palsy. James and I lived on the same street and rode the same bus. We laughed together and we cried together.
I will forever miss him. As a pastor, I know death is for certain but when it's personal personal it hurts.
Sonny, Rest In Peace my friend. And to host wife and family, Be not dismayed God will take care of you.
Mary Cox
November 6, 2017
Knew James for years. Super nice person. Will truly miss him.
Ira Feinman
November 6, 2017
James was a colorful fella. I loved his sense of humor. He always cordial and very polite. He had a great speaking voice.. I mentioned to him to run for office..but he never wanted to be in politics. It is very quiet today here at the office. His office lies very quiet right now. My condolences are here with his family.
Linda Wilson
November 6, 2017
He will be missed by many
Kathy Munoz
November 6, 2017
James was a kind, funny, and perpetually happy man. I enjoyed working with him. He was, above all else, a wonderful human being. He will be missed by many.
Dr Jerry Jailall
November 5, 2017
At the Governor Morehead School, the news of Mr. Benton's sudden passing, took us all by surprise. Just this past week he was working with our students and making plans for their future work, so to hear that he passed away was quite shocking indeed.
Mr. Benton was foremost an advocate for the Blind and visually impaired, and his work with the NC Division of Services for the Blind included working with students at the Gov. Morehead School. Whenever Mr. Benton got involved in a project, it was done with high quality and standards.
He was involved with our students, especially in their coursework and job internships. Mr. Benton was part of the GMS Foundation and he always participated in the GMS graduation. The Foundation has sponsored several scholarships over the years and contributed funds for student trips and projects. Just last week, Mr. Benton gave a pep talk to the Braille Club.
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2810 Kidd Road, Raleigh, NC 27610
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