Bishop Harry Lee Benton

Bishop Harry Lee Benton, the elder of two children, was born October 10, 1945, to the late Mr. Marshall and Mrs. Audie Mae Benton in Meridian, Mississippi. Bishop Benton was called from Labor to his Reward on Friday, November 2, 2018, at Early Memorial Nursing Home in Blakely, Georgia.

He graduated from high school in Meridian and completed his post-secondary education at Rusk College in 1975, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology-Social Welfare. Bishop Benton worked at Lucent Technologies Inc., completing twenty-three years of active service prior to his retirement.

He was ordained with Minister Credentials by the Overcoming Faith Church of Christ and later was fully ordained as a Bishop by the I Am The True Vine Mission, Inc. in Newark, New Jersey, on April 30, 1989, by Bishop G. Gill. After moving to Jakin, Georgia, Bishop Benton joined New Abundant Life Church of Bainbridge, Georgia, where Presiding Elder William Virgin and later Presiding Elder Clarence Smiley pastored. As a result of a long-term illness and his confinement to Early Memorial Nursing Home, he began to attend Glorious Community Holiness Church in Blakely, where Reverend Eddie Stapleton pastors. Bishop Benton was active in ministry at Early Memorial Nursing Home, where he taught Bible Study and Church School and often preached the Gospel. He indeed was a servant who labored in the vineyard until he was called from Labor to Reward. He was well-known in his community and various churches throughout Georgia, Florida and Alabama, as well as the Early Memorial Nursing Home.

He was united in Holy Matrimony to the former Bernice Orange on November 2, 1981. They were blessed to celebrate thirty-seven years of marriage.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Robert Benton and granddaughter Tynisha Baskerville.

He leaves to cherish beautiful, fond memories his loving wife of thirty-seven years, Bernice Orange Benton; three daughters: Geneen Robinson, Lexus Benton, both of Jakin, Georgia, and Georgette Benton-stationed in Sacramento, California; one son, Curtis Orange (Monica) of Dothan, Alabama; granddaughter, Paulette Virgin (Chris); grandson, Aaron Baskerville; great granddaughters, Journie Baskerville and Bailey Virgin; sisters-in- law, Elizabeth Henry (Neville Sr.) and Betty Orange; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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