WARRENTON - Selby Glenn Benton, 88, passed away peacefully with family at his side on Thursday morning, August 26, after several months of declining health.

He was born in Cornelia, Georgia, son of the late Mae Savage ad Selby M. Benton. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1943 where he attended Officer Candidate’s School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he proudly served as a lieutenant in the European Theatre of World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a son of Georgia, a son of the South and a true American patriot.

Mr. Benton was a former resident of Louisburg, while working with his brother, Bill Benton, at Benton Furniture Company. He later moved to Warrenton where he owned and operated several businesses throughout his career, including Benton Furniture Company, Benton Real Estate and Lake Gaston Estates. He was a devoted member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Warrenton where he served through the years on the Administrative board in many capacities. Mr. Benton was a long-time member of the Warrenton Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. He was a member of the Warren Academy board of trustees and a founding member of Warrenton’s “10/30” Club.

Mr. Benton was preceded in death in 1978 by his wife of 29 years, Bettye Davis Benton, and by sisters, Virginia and Frances, and brothers, Jack, Tom and Bill Benton.

He is survived by his daughter, Harriet B. Cooper and her husband Syd of Warrenton; his son, Glenn Benton and his wife, Mary Glenn of Chapel Hill; three grandchildren, Davis Cooper of Raleigh and Mary Hunter and John Benton of Chapel Hill; brothers, Walter Benton of Tarboro and Bob Benton of Belmont, N.C.

Funeral services were held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 29, 2010 at Wesley Memorial UMC in Warrenton, followed by graveside services at Fairview Cemetery. The family received relatives and friends at the Coopers’ home in Warrenton on Saturday evening.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wesley Memorial UMC, P. O. Box 614, Warrenton, NC 27589.

Paid Obituary