Mr. Thomas E. Dendy Benson, Sr. was born June 14, 1929 to Pink Dendy and Asia Brownlee Dendy Benson in Seneca, SC. He departed this earthly life on October 14, 2015.

Brother Benson moved to Winston-Salem, NC at an early age and he attended the local public schools of W-S/Forsyth County. He joined Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. T.S. Staten where he served on the Senior Choir, Mass Choir, Male Chorus, and Golden Ages. He also served in the US Army in 1949, receiving an honorable discharge. He retired after 33 years of service from RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company and 20 years at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters and brothers.

He leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 59 years, Lena Ijames Benson; five children, Thomas, Jr. (Janice), Jacqueline, Tyrone of Romeoville, IL, Christopher, and Chauncey; five grandchildren, Thomas Antowyn Norwood, Thomas E. Benson, III, Ronda Ruth, Nanda Lee, and Desiree Cook; ten great-grandchildren; one brother, Mr. Clifton Benson; two sisters, Mrs. Luella McAdoo of Washington, DC and Mrs. Arizona Kindle of the city; one uncle, Nelson Petree; seven sisters-in-law, Ms. Mae McManus, Ms. Carolyn Turner, Phyllis Petree, Thelma Petree, Patricia Ijames, and Geneva Dendy all of the city; three brothers-in-law, Jessie Petree (Debra), Wayne Berry, and Milton Vaughn, Sr. all of the city; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved him dearly.

Our cook, husband, daddy, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle extraordinaire has left us; but his lessons, values, and character will never be forgotten.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30pm Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Dennis Leach, Sr. officiating. The family visitation will be held from 2:00pm until 2:30pm on Saturday at the Church. Interment will be held at 10:00am Monday, October 19, 2015 in Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, NC.