Mrs. Lena Ijames Benson was born September 7, 1936 to the late Ola Mae Petree and the late Washington Ijames. She was raised by her mother, Ola Mae Petree and her stepfather, the late Jessie Petree, Sr.

Lena attended the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and graduated from Atkins High in 1954.  She later married the love of her life, Thomas E. Benson, Sr. in 1956. She enjoyed raising her children and enjoyed keeping an immaculate house.

Lena joined Macedonia Worship Center where she served as a Sunday School teacher and was a member of the Mother's Board.

Lena was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas E. Benson, Sr.; daughter, Jacqueline E. Benson;  father, Washington Ijames; mother, Ola Mae Petree; stepfather, Jessie Petree, Sr.; sisters, Clara Ijames, Rosalee Evans, and Gwendolyn Berry; and her brother, Jessie Petree, Jr.

Lena is survived by her sons, Thomas E. (Janice) Benson, Jr., Gregory T. Benson of Charlotte, NC, Christopher L. Benson, and Chauncey (Nicole) Petree both of the city; grandchildren, Thomas A. Norwood, Thomas E. Benson, III, Nanda, Ronda, and Desiree Cook; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sisters, Mae Frances McManus, Carolyn (Lee) McKoy, Phyllis E. Petree, Thelma L. Petree, and Patricia Ijames all of the city; sisters-in-law, Debbie Petree, Arizona Kindle, and Geneva Dendy of the city; brothers-in-law, Wayne Berry and Milton Vaughn, Sr. both of city; one uncle, Nelson Petree of the city; and host of other relatives and friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Friday, January 1, 2021 at Russell Funeral Home. Private services will be held Saturday, January 2, 2021.  Interment will be held in Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC.