Obituary of Rupert Dee Benson

Rupert Dee Benson was born 03/28/1938 and passed away at home Saturday April 25, 2020 surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife of 34 years Marie Cox Benson, brother Marion Benson, sister Jean Boyett, and his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids:

Sherry & Dennis Smith, Vickie & Don Bennett, Ken & Juli Williamson, Troy & Cheradee Benson, Ted & Michelle Benson, Connie Smith Pearson, Becky & Tommy Barnett, Jason & Becky Cannon, Lane & Michael Mitchell, Lacey Williamson, Lisa & Cody Roach, Loren Williamson, Casey & Alisha Tilton, Garret & Taylor Benson, Brandon Benson, Gabrielle Benson, Tamra Benson, Kendra Benson, Keyana Benson, Bobby Barnett, Makayla Barnett, Deanna Romero, Tyler Brazell, Brooklyn Cannon, Ethan Mitchell, Isaiah Roach, Aiden Roach, Lyla Roach, Kellee Tilton, Lane Tilton, Bailey Benson, Emma Benson, William Tilton, Christopher Brantley, Destiny Brantley & Kel Freelon, Tyler Thornton, and Khalani Freelon.

There are so many more family and loved ones still not listed.

Has gone to meet his Lord in heaven and loved ones waiting for him on the other side include his mother Girtha Benson, father Claude Benson, brother Claude “Bud” Benson Jr., grandson Dakota Benson, and granddaughter Kayla Brantley.

There might never be a man more full of contradictions than Pop.

He worked hard all his life and made more than his fair share of mistakes. He was determined to a fault, stubborn as a mule, and had a temper you couldn’t beat. He spent many years having more fun than the law allowed. His body was beaten and broken. Like all of us, he suffered through the consequences of his choices.

He was also one of the most loving men I’ve ever met. He had an incredible love for life.

His eyes lit up every time he saw his family and twinkled when he told a story. He enjoyed laughing and making others laugh. He loved having eatin’ meetin’s with his family and friends and telling fishing stories, whooping fish stories and all kinds of lies. We loved them too.

He spent time more time fishing than should be allowed. He loved taking his kids and grandkids with him as often as possible. He liked sitting on the porch and being outside. He graduated technical school as a senior citizen, and made the paper for being the oldest student ever to graduate.

His body might have been broken but his spirit never was. He was too stubborn to let anything slow him down, even when it should have. You would have never know that his back had been broken and he never supposed to walk again. He was always busy doing one thing or another. Fishing, taking his dogs hunting, or taking an afternoon siesta when it got too hot to be outside.

It took him a long time to get there but he was a very forgiving man. He loved his family unconditionally and chose not to hold our mistakes against us. He was brave enough to ask forgiveness for his past and admit to even the worst of his mistakes. He wanted his kids and grandkids to have a better life than he did and worked hard make that happen any way he knew how. He wanted us all to BE better than he was and learn from his mistakes. He had a big heart and was never afraid to let his family know how much he loved them.

That’s what we will remember the most, just how much he loved us.

He spent many years as an old man trying to get into heaven and now he’s finally there. Let’s pray that he has found peace and healing for his heart and freedom from the pain of his body. Let’s remember him sitting in a canoe, fishing in the sunshine, and telling his fishing story lies. When our time comes and we see him again, I can’t wait to see his eyes twinkle when we ask him who really tipped the canoe.

Let Me Go

By Christina Rossetti

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me

I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not for long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that once we shared
Miss me, but let me go. 

For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all part of the master plan
A step on the road to home. 

When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know.
Laugh at all the things we used to do
Miss me, but let me go.