Franklin- Bobby Gene Benton, 70, died suddenly August 28, 2011 at his home. Born in St. George, SC, he was a son of the late Arthur Larry and Naomi Trammel Benton and served three years in the US Marine Corps and twenty-one years in the US Air Force. Bob was a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer with Wright Funeral Home in Franklin and Boykins and was formerly with Johnson Funeral Home in Rocky Mount, NC and James A. Dyal Funeral Home in Summerville, SC.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Dorothy Mae Glover Benton; a daughter, Denise Benton Bunn and husband, Jack “Count” Bunn; three sons, David Reginald Benton and wife, Cindy, Deron Richard Benton and wife, Stephanie, and Douglas Randall Benton and wife, Lori; a sister, Pauline Jackson and husband, Jack; three brothers, Arthur Benton and wife, Linda, Raymond Benton and wife, Tammy, and Andrew Benton and six grandchildren, Chad Benton, Emmy Benton, Wade Benton, Austin Benton, Jack Bunn IV, and Brittany Bunn; and aunts Mattie Infinger and Pauline Manning. He was predeceased by a son, Michael Craig Benton, and a brother, Woodrow Benton.

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. James H. Hyatt, Jr. and the Rev. James W. Browder, III officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Mt. Horeb Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wright Funeral Home and suggests memorials be made to Southampton High School Athletic Facilities Fund c/o Southampton High School or a charity of choice. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.