Mr. Johnny Benjamin

Mr. Johnny L Benjamin was born on April 14, 1951, in Columbia, South Carolina. He was the youngest son born to the late David and Lizzie Mae Benjamin. He departed this earthly life on Saturday, January 27, 2024, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Affectionately called Chief, Smileywiley, Ben, JB, Jenabam, and Pops by family and friends, he attended public schools in Richland County graduating from C.A. Johnson High School in 1969. He was a star athlete and awarded the Golden Helmet Award his senior year. Following high school graduation, he attended the University of South Carolina and received an Associate’s Degree in General Studies. In 1976, Johnny decided he would join the Armed Forces and selected the U.S. Army as his employer. He served his country in training, administrative, and leadership positions at various military duty stations for over 22 years achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class. He received numerous awards and honors including the Army Commendation Medal. He retired from the military in 1998 from Ft Stewart, Ga. The following year he enrolled at Coker College while working with the Ft Jackson Learning Center as a Monitor. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 2001.

In 1970, Johnny met and married Sandy Gale Earle and from this 32-year union two children were born. 

Johnny was a kind and very generous person. He loved being around and meeting people. His laugh was infectious and he loved to affectionately pull the ears (“yucky yucky”) of children and his close family members. He was not shy expressing his feelings and loved to converse on interesting topics. Johnny was very competitive and loved sports. He was “the best” and everyone else, “the rest” or he was “the champ” and everyone else “the chump.” It was entertaining to watch him compete no matter the game. In his leisure time, he enjoyed DJ’ing events, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of the Winner’s Club, the American Legion, and a member of the Modern Free and Accepted Masons of the World, Inc. Though his physical presence will be with us no more, his loving and kind spirit will forever be a part of the lives of all those who knew him.

In addition to his parents, David and Lizzie Mae Benjamin, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Shirley Nelson (sister) and Floyd Benjamin (brother).

Those left to cherish fond and precious memories are his children, Durane (Milotenia) Benjamin, Carla Benjamin-Cook; four sisters, Rosa Gilliam, Betty Nixon, Maxine (Louis) Anderson, and Carolyn Benjamin all of Columbia, SC; four grandchildren, Durane (Paola) Benjamin Jr., of Washington, DC, Joshua (Roseanne) Benjamin, of Jacksonville, Fl., Dureon Benjamin and Ein Benjamin, of Columbia, SC; a great grandchild, Marcus Benjamin, of Jacksonville, Fl.; two aunts, Thomasina Jackson, of Pelion, SC, and Isola Calhoun, of Columbia, SC; a very special friend, Doris Bratton; and a host or nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving relatives and caring friends, all of whom will miss him dearly.

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