James Benton Obituary

James Lewis "Jay" Benton, 91, of Greer, South Carolina, husband of the late Winifred Gravitt Benton, passed away October 31, 2025. A native of Ochlocknee, Georgia, son of the late Henry Paxton Benton and Elizabeth Miranda Busbee Benton, he was the last surviving sibling of their ten children. Mr. Benton was a United States Army Veteran, a faithful member of Praise Cathedral, and former owner and operator of Winnjay, Inc. He ultimately retired as an insurance agent for Prudential Financial, Inc., having earned the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) professional financial and insurance designation. Jay was an avid boiled peanut eater and tomato connoisseur. Surviving are two sons, Randall J. Benton (Jan) of Columbia, South Carolina and Steve L. Benton (Suzanne) of Greer, South Carolina; three grandchildren, Joseph Paxton Benton (Lauren), Jaymeson Hope Benton and Brandon Lewis Benton (Bailee); and three great-grandchildren, Emmalyn Kate Benton, Ellie Taylor Benton and James Paxton Benton. He was also predeceased by three brothers, Albert "Pack" Benton, Wesley Benton and Eugene "Gene" Benton; six sisters, Myrtice Bloodworth, Ruby Loyd, Margaret Lairsey, Deoris Vinson, Marie York and Evelyn Roberts. Funeral services will be held 12 Noon Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Praise Cathedral, conducted by Rev. Jerry Madden. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memory Gardens with military honors. Visitation will be held from 10:00 until 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Praise Cathedral. The family is at their respective homes. Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army, 615 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.