Mrs. Sara Benson, 84, of Albany, Georgia departed this life on Thursday, November 27, 2025 at Willson Hospice House in Albany, Georgia.

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Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. in the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 901 S. Westover Road, Albany, Georgia.

Interment will follow in the Riverside Cemetery, 200 Cotton Ave, Albany, Georgia 31701.

Sara Clementine James Benson was born on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1941 to the late Owen F. James. Sr. and Mary Harrell James in Albany, Georgia. To her family she was called Clem or Clemmie.

She received her early education in the Dougherty County Public Schools, graduating from Monroe High School in 1959. She received a fill four-year scholarship from Las Amigas Civic and Social Club of Albany to attend Albany State College (University) in Albany, Georgia. She received the Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education in 1963. Upon graduating, Sara became employed by Albany State College as secretary for Hazard Laboratory School for six years. In 1969 she received the Master of Business Education degree and began a teaching career at ASU in the Business Education Department. She retired in 1993 but was later honored with the title of Assistant Professor Emeritus of the School of Business.

After retirement, she worked part-time as an adjunct instructor at Albany Technical College in the Business Department and in Developmental Studies.

While attending Albany State, Sara was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. ® , Gamma Sigma Chapter in May 1962. After graduating from ASU, Sara later joined Delta Eta Omega Chapter, Inc. where she served as the following officers: Financial Secretary, Recoding Secretary, Graduate Advisor, and Door Keeper. She is a distinguished Golden Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. ® for having 50 + years of membership.

In addition, Sara continued to work tirelessly to render service in her church, community, and civic organizations. As an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, she served several years in the New Members Orientation Ministry providing leadership as a teacher and Team Leader. She also served as Vice President of the General Missionary Minisrty, Circle # 4, past president of the Floral Cub, member of the Benevolence Ministry, and member of the Prison Ministry. Her other involvement in community organizations included: Secretary, Board of Directors of the Southwest Georgia Association for Convalescent and Aging Persons, Inc.; Slater King Adult Day Health Center; Las Amigas Civic and Social Club, Life Member, reporter, secretary, parliamentarian, and president; Albany City Federation of Colored Women’s Club and Youth Affairs; Life Member Albany State University National Alumni Association; Albany Alumni Chapter of Albany State University; Delta Pi Epsilon; and South Dougherty County Community League.

Her hobbies were reading, bowling, and learning to play the piano. She spent some of her spare time playing Bridge, Pinochle, and Bid Whist. Her philosophy of life was to help someone along the way, lifting as you climb.

Sara leaves behind a legacy of love that will echo throughout generations; her husband of 59 years, Winfred Benson, Sr; one sister, Juanita James of Woodstock, GA; one daughter, Thedjuana (Jerry) Nicholson; three granddaughters, Shannon Marshall, Winifred Marshall Rojas, Jawanza Gibbs Nicholson; four great granddaughters; one great-great grandson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Meadows Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.