Obituaries
 By  Staff Reports Published 
7:03 pm Saturday, July 30, 2016

Joe Wayne Benson, Sr.

Joe Wayne Benson, Sr., age 88, Spruce Pine passed away July 29 at his residence.

He was a lifelong resident of Franklin County and a member of North Highlands Church of Christ. Mr. Benson served in the Army and is a veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of VFW and American Legion and retired from Reynolds Metals.

The funeral service will be August 1, 3 p.m. Pinkard Funeral Home, Russellville with Keith Barnett and Trae Durden officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1 p.m. until time of service. Burial will follow in Franklin Memory Gardens.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Vaughn Benson, Spruce Pine; sons, Joe Wayne Benson, Jr. and wife, Kathy, Littleville, Derek Vance Benson, Belgreen; grandchildren, Jason Benson and wife, Kelli, Muscle Shoals, Jess Benson and wife, Beth, Florence, Jody Benson and wife, Julie, Corinth, Mississippi; great-grandchildren, Peyton and Sydney Benson, Will and Jacob Benson, Jincy and Jase Benson; siblings, Billy Benson and wife, Ruth, and Dayton Benson.

Pallbearers will be Jason Benson, Jess Benson, Jody Benson, Ronald Benson, Donald Ezzell and Mike Madden. Honorary bearers are Floyd Tirey, Calvin Parmer and Bobby Vaughn.

He was preceded in death by parents, Joe W. and Vera Ezzell Benson; sister-in-law, Lorene Benson.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Lads to Leader and Leadrettes at North Highlands Church of Christ.

Thanks to Gentiva Home Health and Hospice.

Also on Franklin County Times
Text message signaled return to state
High School Sports, Main, Red Bay Tigers, ...
AHSAA NW REGIONAL FINAL RED BAY 64, COLD SPRINGS 52
David Glovach For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
HANCEVILLE — It was a simple text message, one sent by a mom of a former player. It was a six-year-old picture of Red Bay huddled together outside Leg...
An emotional loss for senior Fisher
Belgreen Bulldogs, High School Sports, Main, ...
COLD SPRINGS 45, BELGREEN 42
David Glovach For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
HANCEVILLE — Their hands found their faces quickly — something, anything, to absorb the tears. It only worked so well. “It’s hard,” Makenna Fisher sai...
Court asked to halt lot sales
Franklin County, Main, News, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County commissioners are seeking a court order to halt future sales of lots for the Lightning Ridge subdivision. Colbert Count...
Tellish named Rural Teacher of the Year
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Middle school teacher Carley Andrews Tellish has been named the 2026 Spezzini Rural Teacher of the Year, an honor that recognizes one K...
Students compete in annual beef cook-off
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
February 25, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE -- The annual Franklin County Cattlemen’s beef cookoff took place recently at Triple H Barn with students from Russellville, Red Bay, Bel...
Garden club revisits Lewis and Clark expedition
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
February 25, 2026
As the 250th celebration of the United States approaches, members of the Cultura Garden club have been revisiting American history through a series of...
Medicare Advantage must be funded
Columnists, Opinion
February 25, 2026
In a few short months, policymakers will decide the financial fate of the Medicare Advantage program and its millions of members. While the program is...
Guntersville ends season for RHS girls basketball
High School Sports, Russellville Golden Tigers, Sports
Brannon King For the FCT 
February 25, 2026
The memorable and successful 2025-26 girls basketball season came to an end for the Russellville Golden Tigers at the AHSAA Class 5A Northwest Regiona...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *