Emma Benton

On Tuesday, July 6, 2021, Emma McNair Lewis Benton, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family; she was 82 years old.

Emma was born on September 11, 1938, to Edward Bruce Lewis and Annie Mae Gibson Lewis. She married her childhood sweetheart, Charles, on July 27, 1958. Once married, they moved to Germany while Charles served in the United States Air Force. Upon returning to the States, Emma worked alongside her family at Lewis Funeral Home and Bladen Furniture Store while also co-owning Special Occasions Catering company. When not working, Emma served on various committees at First Baptist Church of Bladenboro where she was a lifetime member. She most enjoyed serving as the chair of the Senior Adult Outreach Ministry and being a charter member of the “Closely Knit” Ministry. Aside from loving her family, she had a deep passion for ministering to and sharing her personal stories of faith to those fighting breast cancer. Her hobbies included singing, fishing, traveling, cooking, playing piano, spending time with family and friends, and being a loving homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Annie Mae Lewis. She is survived by her husband, Charles L. Benton of Bladenboro, two daughters, Sherry B. Goodwin of Pittsboro, LeAnn B. McCollum and husband, Anthony, of Castle Hayne, four grandchildren, Bryan (Mandy), Jake, Jessica (Casey), and Connor, and four great-grandchildren, Damien, Rhys, Jackson, and Emma Grace.

A visitation service will be held on Friday, July 9th from 6-8pm at Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 10th at 11am at First Baptist Church of Bladenboro. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery. Rev. Samuel VanSlyke and Rev. Charles Hester officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Bladenboro, Gibson Cancer Center or a charity of your choice.