Donald R. Benson, 82, of Tifton passed away Friday, January 11, 2019, at Regency Hospital in Macon. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 14, 2019, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Steve Hood and the Rev. Terrell Roberts officiating. Mr. Benson will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday, January 13, 2019, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. The family will be meeting at 24 Arnett Mill Road in Tifton.
Gary Benson, Wayne Benson, Herby Benson, Steve Arrington, Ricky Benson, Richard Rowe and Julian Rowe will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Morris Davis, Howard Layton, Emmit Womack, Terry Nichols, Dr. Glen Harris, Gary Vowell, Tommy Massey, Kerry Riley, Sam Sims, Fred Powell, G. W. Stone, Henry Sumner, Wil Bentley, Danny Merritt, Phillip Grimes, Terrell Roberson, Johnny Dunn, and Hal Harper.
Born April 9, 1936 in Worth County, Mr. Benson was the son of the late Winfred Benson and Esther Sumner Benson. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Eugene Benson, Marvin Benson and Dick Benson; and two sisters, Merle Benson Underwood and Louise Benson Williams. He was the owner and operator of Benson Farms. Donald was a hard-working farmer all of his life and was on the tractor the week before he went into the hospital. He loved all of his family and was proud of all of them. He was always joking around and loved to see folks have a good laugh. He will be missed, but never forgotten by many - most of all by his children.
Mr. Benson is survived by one son, Darrell Benson of Tifton; one daughter, Barbara Benson Taylor of Tifton; two brothers, Edgar Benson and Harold Benson, both of Tifton; one sister, Mary Jo Arrington of Tifton; one granddaughter, Rebecca Taylor; and one great-granddaughter, Paisleigh Riley.
Darrell and Barbara would like to thank everyone for all the love and prayers that were sent their way; they were felt.