| Sources |
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 5 Sep 2003.
Rhoda E. Black obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 17 Apr 2005.
Berlin Benton, age 68, of Hartford, Tennessee passed away peacefully Sunday, April 17, 2005 in his home, with many loved ones by his side.
During his last days, he asked me, his daughter of 39 years to write his papers and tell his story. At the time I thought he was confused, but I came to realize that he knew just what he needed to say, and me being so much like him, he asked me to fulfill that task. He said that the Lord would tell me what papers I needed to write and that he could depend on me. So as his last request I will with God’s help try to finish the job my father started.
Ecclesiastes 5: 4& 5 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow not to pay. Berlin was a man of many talents. The greatest of all those was his ability to dream and the faith to take a risk. I include the scripture above because during his last days, all he could talk about was going to church and being a witness for his Savior. He had made those and other vows many times and failed to keep them. We all struggle daily to do the same. Berlin’s story began as a small boy having survived on his own with nothing but his dreams and determination. Looking for structure but not really knowing how to achieve it, he pulled himself up by his bootstraps and made many mistakes along the way but he had dreams. He worked in factories in Chicago and then moved to Tennessee where his legacy will be forever remembered through the thousands of log homes he played a part in building; changing lives forever. He gave his life and heart to Jesus when I was a young girl and we were baptized together, in the creek. He became a member of Blacks Chapel Church and served the Lord in many ways but again, he felt later that he let the world become more important than his vows. My Dad would tell you now if he could, there is nothing wrong with dreaming big dreams of progress and profit but don’t forget your vows and neglect the real reason you dream and want so much in the first place. That reason being your purpose in life; God’s will and your family. That is the biggest payoff of your lifetime. For without God’s perfect peace and your family to share it with, how could you ever dream anyway?
Berlin realized his life was coming to an end earlier than having the time to reach all those vows and dreams. So he tried so hard the last month of his life to tell everybody how much he loved the Lord and his family. He wanted to reach out to the world one door at a time. He couldn’t even really walk and had his nephew Wayne taking him to visit and knock on doors of people they didn’t even know. He said everybody needed to know his friend, our Savior. He wanted every body to go to church. My father was a go-getter and God used that later in his lifetime to say: I want to tell you what Jesus means to me.
He loved to fish early during the morning. He enjoyed going to the flea markets and to bargain, but most of all, he loved to work and make money. I can laugh about that because I am just like him.
But there is one message that God gave to me through Berlin’s life. All the money in the world is never more important than the love of your family and Gods perfect peace. So that is my witnessing to whoever reads this somewhat different obituary. That is what my daddy wanted me to say. Keep your Vows! Love All! Trust a few! Do wrong to none! And love the Lord and your family with all you heart and time. Reach for the stars if you can. Dream big but not at the expense of your God and family. Burlin Benton you will be remembered for many years to come. You were a very smart man and thank you for your love and dreams. Berlin Benton’s dreams will continue on for many years to come through his son Kevin Benton, nephew Wayne Rankins and son-in-law, Shane Gust. For every notch, in every log, in every home, from coast to coast that they and their children and grandchildren build will be the legacy of man with a pencil and a piece of paper.
The man saying, “ I’ve been doing some figuring and I think we could make a lot of money if we tried this! I know where there’s a good deal.” Berlin is preceded in death by his parents, George and Georgia Benton; son Benjamin Stanley ; grandson, Tommy; sisters, Pauline Rackley, Bonnie Allred; brother, John Robert Benton.
He is survived by his wife Wanda B. Benton of Hartford; son, Kevin Benton and wife Misty of Hartford; daughters, Linda Benton Gust and husband Shane of Bean Station, Sharon Benton and Kathy Benton both of WI; grandchildren, Brittney, Kirstie and Brycen Gust of Bean Station, Lakota Lee Benton of Hartford. Special nephew and niece whom he raised as his own, Wayne Rankins, Starlett Groom; great nephew, Allen Groom, sister, Shirley Grey of Rockford, Ill. He will be missed by several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews; and special friend Junior Mooneyham.
Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God, in him will, I Trust.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 pm Thursday at Blacks Chapel Church, with Rev. Danny Greene, Rev. Jerry Raines and Rev. Leon Large officiating, with burial in Benton Family Cemetery, with L/Cpl Charles C. Roberts DAV Chapter 102 Conducting Military Rites.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm Wednesday at Manes Funeral Home.
Manes Funeral Home in charge.
- [S1] U. S. Social Security Death Index, 246-50-8531.
Issued in Tennessee, last residing in Hartford, Cocke County, Tennessee
- [S147] Find a Grave, (Memorial: 46484064).
|
Search | Advanced Search
1936 - 2005 (68 years)
[2, 3] 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
= Link to Google Maps