Rev. Benton Martin Linwood

1931 - 2018

REV. MARTIN LINWOOD BENTON Rev. Martin Linwood Benton, 86, of Delco went to be with his Heavenly Father on February 17, 2018. Martin was born July 26, 1931 in Brunswick County, the son of the late Marcellar and Addie Benton. In addition to his parents, Martin was preceded in death by his brother Michael Dean Benton and four sisters; Nettie Jane Taylor, Phoebe Clemmons, Marjorie Wolfe, and Kathryn Weddle. Martin was a member of Delco First Baptist Church; a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Martin was a US Navy veteran that served on the USS Salisbury Sound. As part of his passionate service for the Lord, he aided as a missionary on several trips to Africa, Poland, and South America. He also enjoyed serving with the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. Martin was an avid UNC Tar Heel fan. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for many years at Federal/International Paper Mill in Riegelwood. Rev. Martin Benton served as a pastor over the years for various churches in Southeastern North Carolina. Martin is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Thesia Benton; four children, Janet Benton of Delco, Kim Keeling and husband Ricky Keeling of Fuquay Varina, Martin Benton II and fiance Rose Hamilton of Wilmington, and Kayla Benton and fiance Mike Melendres of Wilmington, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Conrad Benton and Rev. Kenneth Benton; and sister Cheryl Hollis; and Martin's best friend Greg Davis. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at Delco First Baptist Church with the Rev. Tommy McClusky and Rev. David Todd officiating. Interment will follow at the Delco Cemetery. The family will receive friends this evening, Tuesday, February 20, at Andrews Mortuary, Market St, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.