DELCO — The Rev. Martin Linwood “Snag” Benton, 86, died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Wilmington, N.C. He was born July 26, 1931, in Brunswick County, N.C.
A U.S. Navy veteran, he served on the USS Salisbury Sound. Martin was employed as a heavy equipment operator and retired from Federal/International Paper Mill, Riegelwood. He served as the pastor of various churches in southeastern North Carolina.
He enjoyed fishing, reading, porch swinging and watching UNC Tar Heels. Martin was a member of North Carolina Baptist Men and worked with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. A member of Delco First Baptist Church, he loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He was a rock for many people in the community. He had a huge heart that loved many, and he was loved by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marcellar and Addie Benton; brother, Michael Dean Benton; and four sisters; Nettie Jane Taylor, Phoebe Clemmons, Marjorie Wolfe and Kathryn Weddle.
Martin is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Thesia Benton; four children, Janet Benton of Delco, Kim Keeling, and her husband, Ricky Keeling, of Fuquay Varina, Martin Benton II of Wilmington, and Kayla Benton, and her fiancé, Mike Melendres, of Wilmington; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Conrad Benton and the Rev. Kenneth Benton; sister, Cheryl Hollis; and Martin’s best friend, Greg Davis.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Andrews Mortuary, Market Street. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Delco First Baptist Church with the Rev. Tommy McClusky and the Rev. David Todd officiating. Interment will follow in the Delco Cemetery.
Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.
