Elmo Bender "Ben" Self

Elmo Bender (Ben) Self, age 93, died on October 18, 2024 at his home. He was born on January 29, 1931 in Dallas, Texas to Elmo and Lynette Self. He grew up in Rosenberg, Texas, outside of Houston. A brief memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church on November 29, 2024 at Noon. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the service hour. Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. After graduating from Rosenberg High School at the age of 16, he went to Baylor University where he obtained bachelor's and master's degrees in philosophy. He received a scholarship to Yale Divinity School where he obtained his Master's in Divinity, and later received his Ph.D from Vanderbilt Divinity School. He pastored churches in New York City; Laverne, Tennessee; and Midway Baptist Church in Caldwell County. In 1968 he was invited to join the newly formed faculty at the Hopkinsville Community College which was then part of the University of Kentucky system. For the next 28 years he taught courses in philosophy, religion, English composition, logic, ethics, public speaking and theater. He also served as interim pastor at a number of churches including multiple stints at Kelly Baptist Church and Millbrooke Christian Church. As a member of First Baptist Church, Hopkinsville, he served as congregational moderator for over 25 years and taught Sunday School classes for many different ages and groups. He is the author of three books, including Loving God With Your Mind, as well as numerous articles about the Christian faith published in various journals and magazines. In the early 1970's he served as the chairman of the Hopkinsville Human Relations Commission during the integration of the city and county school systems. Over the years, he moderated many community forums. In the summer of 1954, while he was at Yale, he served as the park pastor at the Crater Lake National Park in Oregon as part of a program through the National Council of Churches. It was there that he met Carolyn Cleland, a farm girl from Ohio who was participating in the same program while a student at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. They married in 1957 and their love story was one for the ages. The admiration and respect they had for each other was evident to all who knew them. Throughout their life together, they were a force for good – in their home, in their church, and in their community. In addition to Carolyn, his wife of 67 years, he is survived by three sons, Dr. Stephen (Mary) Self, a vascular surgeon in Louisville; Timothy (Beth) Self; a financial planner in Sarasota, FL; and Andrew (Eva) Self, a circuit judge in Hopkinsville. In addition, he is survived by nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers: Ronald Self, and Donald Self, Rosenberg, TX. He was preceded in death by a brother, George Self, and a grandson, Matthew Self. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are requested to do so to the church or charity of their choosing. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Elmo Bender, please visit our Tree Store.