Mr. James Earl Benton
Mr. James Earl Benton, of Selma, North Carolina, was born on November 19, 1937, in Johnston County to the late Ransome Benton and Fannie Bunn. He peacefully transitioned from labor to reward on July 9, 2025, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Doris Hargrave Benton, and the following children: James David Hargrave (Cynthia), Dorcia Chaison Bridgewater (Ken), Arlean Benton Brooks (Tony), Jerome Ransome Benton, Angela Benton Steele (Wesley), Clifford Earl Benton (Kandy), Linwood Earl Holder, and the late James Earl White. He also leaves behind several grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
Arrangements:
Viewing:
Thursday July 17, 2025, 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm in the Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services Chapel 302 S. Bright Leaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC.
Funeral Services: A visitation will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 11:00 AM at New Generation Christian Church, located at 4423 Wilsons Mills Rd., Smithfield, NC 27577. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 PM at the same location. The funeral will be live streamed starting at 11:50 am on our Facebook page, Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremations.
Interment will take place immediately after the service at Selma Memorial Gardens. A repast will be held at River Oak Commons in Selma.
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Guest Book
Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton
Your Name: Kelton F Hinton
Email: kelton@raleigh.twcbc.com
Message: Mr Benton was a great man and a good neighbor. I have known him and his family for the last 27 years. We have worked on several projects together over the years. I always appreciated his heart for ministry and his kind consideration for the needs of his family. He has always been a hard worker whether cleaning floors, pastoring or puttering around in his garden! He always had a servant's heart and will be greatly missed by all!
Date: 919-965-9450
Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton
Your Name: Linda Scarboro Bailey
Email: ls_bailey@att.net
Message: I am very sorry for your loss. I will keep the entire family in prayer during this difficult time.
Date: 07172025
Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton
Your Name: Roger Taylor and HHCMS, Inc.
Email: athena287dando@gmail.com
Message: He was a remarkable man—kind, strong, and full of quiet grace. Whether through his laughter, his wisdom, or simply the way he made others feel seen and heard, he left a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him. His absence will be deeply felt, but so will his love, which continues to live on in the hearts of those who loved him.
Date: 910.540.2260
Family or Deceased Name: Dad Benton
Your Name: Charlotte Grimes
Email: securelady50@gmail.com
Message: To the Benton family in whom I have known for years, I personally want to send my deepest condolences, especially Mom Doris, I pray that GOD will through is Loving arms around each of you in a special way.
Date: 919-986-4756
Family or Deceased Name: Mr.James Earl Benton
Your Name: Yvette and Kenneth Revell
Email: yvetterevell@gmail.com
Message: To the family may God's peace and love rest on each of you, know that Mr. Earl completed the assignment God gave him great man of faith, loved God and people rest on sir, Jesus loves you more. Take comfort family God got him.
Date: 7162025
Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton
Your Name: Soror Janet Wise
Email: jwise@restorethefamily.org
Message: So sorry for your loss Arlean. My prayers go out to you and your family.
Date: 9196347523
Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton
Your Name: Baptist Grove Church Care Card Ministry
Email: bgccares@baptistgrovechurch.org
Message: Sis Angela, Cydney and Mykalia,
May God's love comfort you and give you strength to endure and be sustained with "grand" memories of your loving Father and Grandfather.
Date: 919 787 4528
Family or Deceased Name: Benton Family
Your Name: Marilyn F. Williams
Email: mfwms7@gmail.com
Message: My thoughts and prayers are with you Arlean on the passing of your Dad. Sendings hugs. Your Ebony Pages sister
Date: 07142025
Family or Deceased Name: Mr. James Benton
Your Name: Johnny & Emma Johnson
Email: emjohnson@nc.rr.com
Message: Condolences to the Benton family we are praying for strength, comfort and healing that only God can provide. Mr. Benton loved the Lord by his unselfish service in preaching the word ,and servicing the community with the fresh vegetables and fruit. Thank you Mr. Benton for everything ,your love for humanity didn't go unnoticed an we appreciate all the love for the people you service. You will be greatly missed. 🖤🖤 Take your rest in paradise!!!
Date: 7-14-2025
Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton
Your Name: Trina Neal
Email: trinaneal@yahoo.com
Message: Uncle Earl will truly be missed. My prayers and thoughts are with the family.
Date: 7132025
Family or Deceased Name: Rev. James E. Benton
Your Name: Bettie Revell 💕
Email: bettiejoeann2451@gmail.com
Message: My heart goes out to your families of your loss. Cousin James was a very kind hearted person and spiritually filled with compassion to everyone he meet. His love was always shown to All even a stranger on the streets, but God's grace kept him strong in his words. He's a beautiful person that's left his marked in lots of ways especially in me. May God's Blessings 🙌 upon you all to submit his strength of comfort and healing of your loss in an individual way, to smile and say, that's dad, or uncle, that's my brother a dear and close friend, that will never be forgotten. Peace and my love l send out to you individually as collectively. Sis./ CUZ. Bettie & Revell's Families
Date: 7122025
Family or Deceased Name: Benton Family
Your Name: Rev. Dr. Dorothy H. Richardson
Email: hdotrich@gmail.com
Message: Praying for the family, for I know that God will give you the strength you during this bereavement time. Look to the hills from whence your help come, for our strength comes from the Lord.
Date: 919-553-4085.
Family or Deceased Name: Uncle Earl Benton
Your Name: Patricia Ann Poston McCsntd
Email: mccantsp30@gmail.com
Message: Uncle Earl rest in peace and know you are blessed. Love, Jean’s daughter and family
Date: 07122026
Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton
Your Name: Edith Porter
Email: porteredith@hotmail.com
Message: Sending prayers and condolences to the Benton family. He was a wonderful person and will be truly missed. ❤️
Date: 9197968437
Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton
Your Name: Billie Davis
Email: billiedavis2963@yahoo.com
Message: Sorry for your loss Billie Davis and family Greensboro NC
Date: 06112025
Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton
Your Name: Helen T Price
Email: hprice143@embarqmail.com
Message: Praying for the family and my heartfelt condolences to the James Earl Benton family.
Date: 9192842392
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