James Benton

Obituary For James Benton

A TIME TO BE BORN...

James Ernest Benton was born on December 11, 1961, to his loving loving parents Willie and Louella Frierson-Benton. James transitioned this earthly life on Sunday, July 4, 2021 at New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. James was the eighth child of nine siblings.

A TIME TO GROW...

James was educated in the public schools of Sumter, South Carolina. He attended Savage ands Glover Elementary, Alice Drive Junior High, and Sumter High Schools. James moved from Sumter, South Carolina in 1978 to Brooklyn, New York and later graduated from Prospect Heights High School in 1980.

A TIME TO LIVE...

On January 2, 1986, James married the love of his life, Lois Mason. To this union they had and raised four beautiful children. Joseph Beckham, Rhonda Diggs, Natalia Benton, and James Benton. James began his professional career at New York University as a mailroom worker. And a joyous plus, he worked along side his older sister Geraldine Crosland. Because of his ambitious drive and strong work ethics, he was promoted to the Security Department. This position he took to like a duck to water! This was not a job for him because he enjoyed going to work every single day. James continued working hard always striving to reach his intended goal, and in no time, he was promoted to Sergeant. James had several friends that he met while working at NYU. Among those (but not limited to) were David Badillo, and Tony Garcia. James was such a good friend to all whom he came in contact with. Therefore, he was blessed equally with many friends. James enjoyed the daily contact with people and listening to whatever they had to say. James was truly a people person. He worked closely with Chief Martin who took over at NYU once he left the NYC Police Department. When James got sick in 2017 and could no longer work, the officers in charge would continue to call and check on him. He enjoyed conversing with them about on the job, new editions and happenings.

A TIME TO MOURN...

James was preceded in death by his father, Willie Benton, two sisters, Barbara Ann Benton, and Geraldine E. Crosland; one brother, Solomon Benton; maternal grandparents, Willie and Laura Jane Frierson; paternal grandparents, Rufus and Jessie Ludd-Benton; mother-in-law, Alma Mason, one sister-in-law, Deborah Terr, and brother-in-laws, Kenneth Crosland, Sidney Mason, George Mason, and Larry Mason.

James leaves to cherish his precious memories a loving and devoted mother, Louella Benton of Sumter, S.C., a loving and dedicated wife of 35 years, Lois Mason-Benton, two sons, Joseph (Yesenia) Beckham of Yonkers, New York; James Benton of Brooklyn, New York; two daughters, Rhonda Diggs of Laurinburg, North Carolina; and Natalia (Joel) Lewis of Brooklyn, New York; and three grandchildren he adored; Amari Banton, Sophia Benton, and Journey Lewis; three brothers, Willie Benton of New York, New York, Robert Le (Estelle)Benton of Newark, Delaware, Bobby (Mary) Benton of Bronx, New York; two sisters, Jessie Mae (Carl) Watson of New Castle, Delaware, Louella Denise (Manuel) Colon of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. A special aunt Loretta Presley of Brooklyn, New York; two special cousins, Dr. Sonja Wilson-Murphy of Sumter, S.C., and Chris Ann Brunson of Sumter, S.C.; seven nephews, Eric Benton, Andre Benton, Carl Watson, Robert Baker, Emmanuel Colon, Joseph Benton; ten nieces, Lakecia Cox, Roshonda Baker, Lateshia Benton, Robin Bake, Jazzlyn Colon, Whitney Watson, Shanee Terry, Shawnata Martin, Asia Mason, Tomekia Mason, and a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.