BENTON, Keith RUFFIN - Mr. Keith Barrott Benton, 82, of Pine Grove Road died Monday evening, January 12, 2009, at his residence under the care of Winyah Hospice. Funeral services will be conducted 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon, January 15, 2009, from Pine Grove Baptist Church No. 1, 99 Pine Grove Road, Walterboro, with The Reverend Ken McCaskill officiating. Interment with Military Honors provided by the United States Navy and Masonic Rites will follow in the church cemetery. Mr. Benton was born September 30, 1926, in Ruffin, and was a son of the late James Berkley Benton, Sr. and the late Earlene Bishop Benton. He served his country faithfully in the United States Navy and was a retired Nuclear Supervisor from the Charleston Naval Shipyard; as well as he was the founder and owner of Benton Automotive Sales in Walterboro. He was a longtime member of Pine Grove Baptist Church No. 1 where he was active in many aspects of the church's work and was a former Sunday School teacher. He was a member and Past Worshipful Master of Hudson Masonic Lodge No. 373, Ancient Free Masons, and was a member of the Scottish Rite. He had an avid love of fishing the local creeks of Colleton County, was a big fan of NASCAR Motor Racing, and in his younger days was a race car driver. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his love for cars, and the devotion that he possessed for his family. Surviving are: his wife, Mrs. Syble Wethington Benton; a son, Terry Benton and his wife Toni Baker of Evans, Georgia; a daughter, Sandra Crider and her husband Joey of Saint Matthews; two step-sons, Johnny Herndon and his wife Linda of Islandton and Ricky Herndon and his wife Sonya of Walterboro; a step-daughter, Patricia Wolff and her husband of Ladson; three brothers, Kenwood Benton of Redding, California, Al Benton of Ridgecrest, California, and Ray Benton of Middleburg, Florida; and two sisters, Wilhelmenia Vinczi of Ruffin and Mary Wilson of Charlotte Courthouse, Virginia. There are twelve grandchildren and eight great grandchildren that also survive. He was preceded in death by a grandson in 2004.
Post and Courier, The (Charleston, SC) - January 14, 2009