Harry Eugene Benson

Harry Eugene Benson, 84, of Collins Chapel, Alabama went home to be with the Lord on January 15, 2025.

Harry was born December 16, 1940, in Chilton County, Alabama, son of Miles Monroe Benson and Ollie Mae Hilyer Benson.

The youngest of five boys, Harry grew up working alongside his brothers and various members of the community on the family farm. He was a member of Collins Chapel Baptist Church as a child and a lifelong devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. Harry graduated from Jemison High School, class of 1958, where he was a standout student and athlete. While in high school he met and married his high school sweetheart, Betty Carol Porter Benson.

Harry’s career provided him the opportunity to meet and work with people from all over the world. He always took immense pride in his family, faith, work, and his Alabama roots. After high school, Harry worked in Huntsville, AL at Redstone Arsenal during the rocket age. He then moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina to help open a chemical plant for Rohm and Haas. Harry and Betty resided in Fayetteville for over 30 years where they raised their dear sons, Stan and Brian. Harry worked in the chemical business from the early 1960’s until his retirement in 1998 from Rohm & Haas, ICI & DuPont. While in North Carolina, Harry graduated from North Carolina State University and was an active member of Trinity Baptist and Snyder Baptist Churches.

Upon ‘retirement’ in 1998, Harry and Betty returned to their roots in Collins Chapel, located outside of Clanton, Alabama. He found peace working their pecan orchard and their pines that he fondly dubbed AlaCar Farms. He was devoted to serving his family, church, neighbors and community. He served on several boards, to include the Chilton County Water Authority and as an elder at his church, Collins Chapel Baptist Church. Harry could often be found by family and friends either on his tractor or in his 1973 blue Chevrolet pickup with his dog in the cab. Ever a hard worker, Harry remained a devoted Christian, husband, father, grandfather, and friend throughout his life.

Harry is survived by his Wife of 67 years, Betty; Sons, Stan (Susan) Benson of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Brian (Ann) Benson of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and six dear grandchildren Matt (Myriam) Benson, Shelby (Matt) Mildenberg, Kelsey Benson, John Benson, Luke Benson, and James Benson; along with the anticipated arrival of his first great-grandchild early in 2025.

He was preceded in death by his Father, Miles Monroe Benson; Mother, Ollie Mae Hilyer Benson; Brothers, William Arthur Benson, Charles Curtis Benson, Jimmy Robert Benson, and Miles Rodney Benson.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3: 23-24

The family will receive visitors at 1pm followed by a service and burial at 2pm on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Collins Chapel Baptist Church in Jemison, AL. Celebrate a race well run by Harry Eugene Benson as we send him home to be with the Lord.