Edwin Patrick Benton

08-31-1958 to 08-12-2023

Edwin Patrick Benton, 69,

went to his Heavenly Father on August 12, 2023, from Parkwest Hospital inpatient hospice, Knoxville, Tennessee. He was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on August 31, 1953 to James and Patricia Benton. He was a graduate of Roth High School, class of 1971. He grew up in the Church of God Sanctified in Dayton Ohio and accepted Christ at an early age. He came to Knoxville at age 18 and joined Patton Street Church of God. He worked at Lakeshore mental health for a couple years. Then he went to Oakridge National Laboratory where he was employed for 17 years and became disabled.

He pastored in Sweetwater Tn at First United Church of Christ for a number of years. Then he pastored Mount Cumberland Presbyterian church in Niota for a number of years. He was also a volunteer chaplain with the Knoxville police department. He was involved in the AIDS ministry. A stephens minister at Fort Sanders. He mentored many in ministry and was a faithful, loving witness for Christ. He had such a passion for young people and mentored and gave all to everyone he came in contact with until his health failed. He tried to restore all that was broken in the lives that he touched. What a legacy! He took classes at ITC. Many called him (Doc) because he knows something about everything medical. He attended to the bedside of many that were dying. He also eulogized more people than I could begin to count. He joined Mount Zion Baptist church in 2014.

He is preceded in death by parents, James and Patricia Benton; Brothers, Levant and Alvin Benton Aunts, Alvina Martin and Edna Mae Brown and Uncle Emmanuel Martin

He leaves to cherish his memory, wife of 32 years, Lydia Benton, Knoxville Tn, Phyllis, Yolita, Grelin, and Lemuel, all of Dayton Ohio. Aunts, Jean Kyle (Frenchie), Jefferson, IN, June Buffington (John), Springfield, Ohio, Estelle Smith (Herman), Athens, Georgia, Brothers in law Mark Blair, Sweetwater, Tn, George Blair, Knoxville, Tn. Sister-in-law and caregiver, Willie Blair. Many nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends. Special friends to include Randy Tingle (Wendy), Kerry Moss (Janelle), Georgia, Lucy, Joyce, and Jack Scruggs, Lena Morrison, Rev. Coetta Bynum, Dayton Ohio, Andrea (Dr Johnnie Skinner), and Pastor Anglela Arnwine (Alvin).

Family will receive friends Saturday August 19, 2023 from 12 – 1 pm at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2714 Brooks Ave, Knoxville, TN 37914. With funeral services to follow. Rev. Johnnie Skinner officiating. Interment at Mt. Olive Cemetery. Final arrangements by Jarnigan and Son Mortuary.