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Edwin Benard Benson, age 74, received his heavenly wings on Friday, May 15, 2020.
Benard was born May 6, 1946, to John Henry and Rebecca Benson in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He accepted Christ at an early age at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. John Henry ensured that the Benson kids were in church. This is where Benard developed his solid foundation of honesty, respect, and compassion. These core values he carried with him throughout his life.
He attended Anderson High School where he graduated in 1964, then immediately enlisted in the United States Army. He returned to Winston-Salem after serving honorably for 7 years, and later moved to Los Angeles, California, where he met and married Vanessa. From that union, he had a daughter, Regina.
In 1991, he married Claire Laverne. They enjoyed a loving and fun-filled marriage for 29 years. They loved traveling, family gatherings, and enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren. Benard’s second love was refurbishing vintage cars, but he also truly enjoyed home-remodeling projects, and playing the lottery.
He enjoyed a remarkable career with the California Department of Corrections for 27 years in various capacities, including Correctional Officer, Correctional Sergeant, and Correctional Lieutenant, before retiring in 2002. He inspired and motivated through his consummate leadership, and was loved and highly respected by all.
He was preceded in death by his parents John Henry and Rebecca Benson, one sister Mary Jordan, brothers-in-law, Robert Earl Key, Lawrence Lindsay, Charlie Jordan, Melvin Brown, and sister-in-law Annie Benson. He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted and loving wife, Claire Laverne, a daughter, Regina, two stepsons, Lamont and Lawrence, four sisters, Margretta Key, Alice Lindsay, Roxie Burns (Carl), and Queen Withee (Al), three brothers, Leroy, John, and George (Sharon), one Aunt, Naomi Thomas, 5 grandchildren, and a special life-long friend, George Fields, all whom he adored, and they loved him as well. Also to cherish his memory are a host of other relatives and friends who will remember his kind heart and his gentle and good nature. He will be truly missed and will be always remembered as the level-headed, caring, and fun person that he was.
