Marion-Taylor County GaArchives Obituaries.....Benson, Irene Kirksey March 8, 2009 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jean Frost http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006103 November 7, 2011, 2:56 pm Tante Funeral Home Apr 2009 TANTE FUNERAL home 1052 Dr. Deryl Hart Road – P.O. Box 382 Buena Vista, GA 31803 Phone (229)649-2478 Fax (229)649-2446 Dr. Arthur J. Benson, 89, of Athens, W.Va., died April 6, 2009, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, Va. Irene Kirksey Benson, 92, of Athens, W.Va., died March 8, 2009 at Princeton Community Hospital, Princeton, W.Va. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the Ramah Church Cemetery in Buena Vista, Ga. with Pastors David Chapman and Charles Drake officiating. Dr. Benson was born November 17, 1919, in Marion County, Ga. He was the son of the late Turner and Grace McCorkle Benson. He was a 1939 graduate of Georgia Southwestern College and began his life-long career in education at Cross Roads School in Taylor County, Ga., where he served as teacher and principal from 1940-1942. During World War II, he was called to honorably serve his country in the U.S. Army from 1943-1946. He received a B.S. Degree in Education in 1946 and a Master's Degree in Education in 1948 from the University of Georgia. He then became Superintendent of Schools in Marion County, Ga., and held this position from 1948-1960. During this time, he was also an Adjunct Professor at University of Georgia, Columbus Center. In 1960, he earned his Doctorate in Education from Auburn University. Dr. Benson was Professorial Lecturer, at American University, Ft. Benning, Ga., Branch from 1960-1964, and also served as District Supervisor for the Georgia Department of Education during this time. In 1964, he and his family moved to Athens, and Dr. Benson began his distinguished tenure at Concord College in Athens, W.Va. From 1964-1985, he served as Professor of Education and Chair of the Division of Education, Physical Education, and Library Science, and Director of Teacher Education. In 1985, Dr. Benson was named Professor Emeritus at Concord University. He formerly served as Director of Georgia Education Association, and President of Georgia Association of County School Superintendents. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Parents Teacher Association, a member of Kappa Delta Pi Honorary Education Fraternity, and Phi Delta Kappa where he served as President of the Bluefield, W.Va. Chapter. He was an Honorary Life Time Member of the Athens, W.Va., Lions Club and received the Leonard Jarrett Award in 2003-2004. He was a dedicated member of Athens Baptist Church where he served on the Board of Deacons and was named Deacon Emeritus. Mrs. Benson was born October 31, 1916, in Taylor County, Ga. She was the daughter of the late Lester and Beatrice Kirksey. She attended Georgia Southwestern University and was a graduate of the University of Georgia. She did graduate work at the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies. She too began a long illustrious career in education as an elementary school teacher at Cross Roads School in Taylor County, Ga. She subsequently taught in Marion County and Forest Park schools in Georgia before moving to Athens, W.Va. She retired as a teacher with the Mercer County School System, last teaching at Mercer Elementary School in Princeton. Irene was a dedicated member of the Athens Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher. In 2008 she was named the Athens Senior Citizen of the Year. She took great pride in caring for her husband and son. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Arthur and Irene were married 67 years and are survived by one son, Dr. Arthur Jerry Benson and his wife Dr. Martha K. Ross of Harrisonburg, Va.; and two granddaughters, Virginia Soenksen and Amanda Soenksen. Arthur is also survived by one brother, William R. Benson of Roswell, Ga. Irene was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In keeping with their wishes, they were cremated and a memorial service honoring the lives of Arthur and Irene Benson was held May 2, 2009 at Athens Baptist Church, Athens, W.Va., with Pastor Charles Drake officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthur J. and Irene K. Benson Scholarship Fund, Concord University Foundation, P.O. Box 1405, Athens, WV 24712, or Athens Baptist Church, P.O. Box 728, Athens, WV 24712. Tante Funeral Home of Buena Vista is in charge of arrangements Additional Comments: Mr & Mrs Benson were cremated and then buried in Ramah Cemetery, Buena Vista Marion Co GA They lived in West Virginia at their deaths , A month apart. This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 5.1 Kb