Selby G. Benton

Selby Glenn Benton, 88, passed away peacefully with family at his side on Thursday evening, August 26, after several months of declining health.
He was born in Cornelia, GA, son of the late Willa Mae and Selby M. Benton. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1943 where he attended Officer Candidate’s School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he proudly served as a lieutenant in the European Theatre of World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a son of Georgia, a son of the South and a true American patriot.
Mr. Benton owned and operated several businesses through his career including Benton Furniture Company, Benton Real Estate and Lake Gaston Estates. He was a devoted member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Warrenton where he served through the years on the administrative board in many capacities. Mr. Benton was a long-time member and past president of the Warrenton Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. He was a member of the Warren Academy board of trustees and a founding member of Warrenton’s "10/30" Club.
Mr. Benton was preceded in death in 1978 by his wife of 29 years, Bettye Davis Benton, and by one sister and three brothers.
He is survived by his daughter, Harriet B. Cooper and her husband, Syd, of Warrenton; his son, Glenn Benton and his wife, Mary Glenn of Chapel Hill; three grandchildren, Davis Cooper of Raleigh and Mary Hunter and John Benton of Chapel Hill.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the team of nurses who diligently and patiently cared for Mr. Benton in his later years as well as all of the nursing staff at Brookshire Nursing Center in Hillsborough.
The funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 29, 2010 at Wesley Memorial UMC on Main Street in Warrenton with the graveside service immediately thereafter at Fairview Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Cooper’s home in Warrenton on Saturday evening from four until six.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wesley Memorial UMC, P.O. Box 614, Warrenton, NC 27589.