Home Going Services for Miss Vera L. Benton, April 21, 1926- October 22, 1998, Monday, October 26, 1998, Twelve O'clock, Noon, John H. Lewis Gymnasium, Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Georgia, The Reverend Augusta H. Hall, Jr. Officiating, Pastor, St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Covington, Georgia

I

HOME GOING SERVICES

I

FOR

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

Monday, October 26, 1998

I

Twelve O'clock, Noon

John H. Lewis Gymnasium

I

Morris Brown College Atlanta, Georgia

I

The Reverend Augusta H. Hall, Jr. Officiating

Pastor, St. Paul A. M. E. Church

I

Covington, Georgia

I

I

Miss Vera L. Benton

I

1926- 1998

Miss Vera L. Benton was the youngest of two children born to Willie Leroy

I

Benton and Sallie R. Benton on April 21, 1926, in Covington, Georgia. Her early

education was completed at the Washington Street School in Newton County. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Morris Brown College in 1946. She

I

later received the Master of Arts Degree in English Language and Literature from the

University of Michigan. Advanced studies were done at the University of Southern

I

California, Indiana University, and Wesleyan University in Middle town, Connecticut.

She was the recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim and Rockefeller Foundations.

I

She began her teaching career at Social Circle High School in Social Circle, GA. Two

years later, in 1948, she began her tenure at Morris Brown College. Her instruction included courses from freshman English to advanced Composition and Modem English

I

Grammar. Among her favorite offerings were courses in Shakespeare and 18th Century

Literature. She "fed thousands of hungry souls" the beauty and wisdom to be gleaned

I

from great literature.

Miss Benton was active in academia beyond the classroom. She was a member of the

I

Editorial committee for the publication Morris Brown College: The First Hundred Years.

She served as academic Coordinator for the TRIO Programs, then as consultant and TRIO Challenger until her illness prevented her participation in 1998.

I

Miss Benton's church activities began at a early age, at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in

I

Covington, GA: She served in executive capacities in Local, and District Lay

organizations. Her influence was felt through her service as a delegate to the General Conference, as a Workshop Presenter, and as Chairperson of the Commission on

I

Christian Education. She was a Steward, a Sunday School teacher and a member of the

Women's Missionary Society.

I

Many recognized Miss Benton for her service: She received the Sears Roebuck Teacher

of the Year Award; the Outstanding Service Award from Morris Brown College; a

I

Citation of Merit from the National Alumni Association; An Outstanding Service Award

from South Eastern Regional Association for Special Program Personnel. She was active in the community with the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA and NAACP.

I

Miss Benton is survived by two aunts and an uncle: Miss Dessie Ross and Miss Irene Roberts, both of Atlanta and Mr. Lewis Benton of Tacoma Washington; two dear cousins

I

Mrs. Linnie Nelson and Mr. Frederick Benton, both of Covington, GA and a host of

beloved relatives and friends.

I

I

I

I

I

The Reverend Augusta H. Hall, Jr.,Officiating

Pastor, Saint Paul A.M. E. Church

I

Covington, Georgia

I

PRELUDE

PROCESSIONAL

I

PRAYER ............................................................................ The Reverend J. C. Reynolds, Pastor

Turner Monumental A. M. E. Church
I OLD TESTAMENT ................................................................................. The Reverend Earle Ifill

I

Presiding Elder, Atlanta East

NEW TESTAMENT .................................................. The Reverend Doctor Daniel Jacobs, Dean

I

Turner Theological Seminary

SELECTION ............................................................................. The Morris Brown College Choir

I TRIBUTES

I

Bishop Donald G. K. Ming

Presiding Prelate

I

Sixth Episcopal District Chairman, Board of Trustees

Morris Brown College

I

Dr. Gloria Anderson, Interim President

Morris Brown College

I

Dr. Robert A. Ensign, Chairman

Communications Department

I

Mr. Marvin King, Director

Trio Programs

I

The Legacy Club: Crystal Moon, Marlina Frost

Robbie Colson, Monica Dukes
I

I

SELECTION .............................................................................. The Morris Brown College Choir

I

I

TRIBUTES

I

The Reverend Samuel W. Wicker President, Presiding Elders Counsel

I

Sixth Episcopal District
I
The Reverend James Davis, Pastor

Big Bethel A. M. E. Church

I

Mr. Morris Hannah, President

Sixth District Lay Organization

I

Mrs. Edith White Ming

The Women's Missionary Society Sixth Episcopal District

I

Mr. Henry Wright III Steward Pro-Tem

I

St. Paul A. M. E. Church

I

SOLO .................................................................................................................. Mrs. Doris Jordan St. Paul A. M. E. Church

I

Meditation and Silent Reading ofthe Obituary

I

EULOGY ...................... ........................................................................... Bishop McKinley Young

I

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................... Mrs. Ariel Young Sullivan

I

RECESSIONAL
I

I

eomnufttdJ~ tzm~YnLernze/lb
Westside Cemetery

I

Covington, GA
I

I

I

I

I

I

.7o .7.hose g Bove !7/nc/.7.hose lV.ho Bove me

I

72Jhen gam gone, release me, leime go-

g have so many lhinglo see anddo

I

You musln I lieyourse.flo me with fears,

!JJe than.kju/for our beaul!fu/years.

I

g gave you my love, you can onlyguess

I

Jfow muchyou gave lo me in happiness.
g than.kyoufor the love each ojyou have shown,

I

!Jlulnow ils lime g !raveledon alone.
cSo grieve a wflile, !/grieveyou musl

I

!Jhen leiyour grieve be comfortedby lrusl g;~ onlyfor a lime thai we muslpar"

cSo bless the memories within your hear/

I

g won I beJar away,jor /!fe goes on.

cSo, !/you needme, calfandg w.ilfcome.

I

!Jhoughyou can I see or !ouch me, g'JJbe near.

I

!7/nd!/you /islen withyour hear!you w.ilfhear,

!711/my love aroundyou soji andclear,

I !7/ndthen, when you musl come this way alone,

I

g'JJgreelyou with a smile andsay,
'eve/come Jfome ~~

I

Anonymous

I

I

I

The Stewardess Board St. Paul A. M E. Church Women 's Missionary Society ofthe Sixth District
Lay Organization
The Steward and Trustee Boards St. Paul A. M. E. Church
Pastors ofthe Sixth Episcopal District

A Petal from our bouquet has been plucked, we must now be nurtured by the presence ofher gentle spirit and finesse. It is friends like you who have provided physical and spiritual comfort to help with the transition. We ask for your continued prayers as we adjust to our sudden loss.
The Benton and Roberts Family
Refreshments will be served at the Covington Fire Station in Covington, GA after the services.

243 North Broad Street Monroe, Georgia 30655
(770) 267-2642

Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to:
II II Young Funeral Home, Inc.

3.106 West Street Covington, Georgia 30210
(770) 786-2944

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
I.
I