Gilbert Lee Benton

GILBERT LEE BENTON FLORENCE, SC Gilbert Lee Benton, 80, of Florence, died peacefully at his home entering into eternal rest on March 14, 2015. He was born in Florence Co. on April 11, 1934 to Troulden Lee and Mae Broach Benton.He was a member of Evergreen Baptist Church and loved the people of the Evergreen Community.He was a Mason, member of the Flintville Lodge and a Shriner where he was a member of the Omar Temple in Mt. Pleasant.Gilbert was a veteran having served in the US Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1954.He owned Benton’s Used Cars until his retirement in 2008.Gilbert and Nancy both enjoyed fishing throughout their courtship and marriage.They continued that enjoyment along with RVing while making new friends along the way, enjoying the scenery and just being together.Gilbert was a lovable husband, daddy and brother who loved to tease and was devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Nancy Matthews Benton of Florence; daughters, Lynn (David) Moore, Vicki Day and Sherry Benton, all of Florence County; grandchildren, Kelly Vause, Jessica Jones, Amanda Vause, Clayton Porta, Christopher Porta, Scott Estep and Chase Estep; great-grandchildren, Tristan Finley, Harper Jones and Lillie Carter; his most loved sister, Harriett B. McElveen of Lexington; brothers, A. Vernon (Lois) Benton and T.L. Benton, both of Florence County; sister-in-law, Margaret Ann (Jack) Green of Florence and special friend of 40 years, Daniel Kennedy, who cared for Gilbert and Nancy on a daily basis throughout his illness of five months. Memorials may be made to Evergreen Baptist Church, 6316 Pamplico Highway, Effingham, SC29541 or to McLeod Hospice, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC29502. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 PM Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in the Evergreen Baptist Church Cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall of Evergreen Baptist Church following the service in the cemetery and other times at the residence. The family would like to express that they could not praise Daniel Kennedy enough or Gilbert’s daughters (they loved their daddy), who helped throughout his illness and a special thank you to McLeod Hospice, who had given medical advice and encouragement during the last few weeks.