Benson "Ben" May Russell, Jr. USAF (Ret)

Major Benson M. Russell, Jr., USAF (Ret), 80, husband of Sybil Baker Russell of Mt. Pleasant passed into Heaven on Wednesday, February 15, 2012. The relatives and friends of Benson Russell, Jr. are invited to attend his Funeral Service on Saturday, February 18, 2012 in J. HENRY STUHR MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL at 3:00 PM. Burial will follow in Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens. The family will greet friends at the chapel from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

He was born on September 9, 1931 in Monticello, Mississippi, Lawrence County, son of the late Benson May Russell, Sr. and Fannie Lee Sarrett Russell. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1949 and then graduated from Mississippi State University in 1954 and to this day, he continues to be an avid MSU Bulldogs fan (along with the Washington Redskins!) Upon graduating from MSU, he joined the United States Air Force and pursued a wonderful, adventurous career, flying the world, navigating airplanes, and defending our country in Vietnam. He retired as a Major in the United States Air Force in 1974.

After retirement he quickly pursued other endeavors. He became a franchised owner of Dollar Rent A Car for about 7 years, and provided employment for several family members. He then encouraged and helped establish "Mobile Glass", a company currently owned and managed by his eldest son, Lenny. Dad continued to be a tremendous influence in his children's lives, as he pursued land and house/rental investments. He was a great renovator of old homes and loved doing all the work himself! One of his greatest joys was building the lake house and encouraging family and friends to water ski, swim and fish. He wanted the lake house to be his legacy for generations to come, lovingly naming it "The Monticello." His middle son, Rusty, a skilled welder, was Dad's colleague to help maintain this home.
Dad was a great storyteller. Children, grandchildren and other family members grew to listening to his childhood escapades and military travels. These stories influenced his youngest son, Joel, to join the United States Air Force, then using the GI Bill and with Dad's guidance, he pursued an education to become a land surveyor, and is the owner/manager of JBR Construction Services, LLC.

Ben's daughter, Bethany, was able to advance her nursing studies as a result of his continued reassurance and support and she considered Dad to be her best friend. Dad's optimism continued with the grandchildren, reassuring them and urging them to achieve their goals.

Most importantly, Ben was a Christian and enjoyed his membership and friendships at First Baptist Church of Bonneau, SC.

He is survived by his dedicated, faithful, loving wife of 55 years, Sybil Baker Russell, her brother, Raymond Baker and his wife, Jean. Ben's Children are Bethany Grace Lewis and her husband, Dennis, Kevin Lynn "Lenny" Russell, Benson M. "Rusty" Russell, III, and Joel Baker Russell and his wife, Heather. His grandchildren are Randall Joel Robinson, Jordan Grace Lewis, Lain Lewis, Amber Elizabeth, Kevin Lenny Purdy, Benson M. "BMR" Russell, IV, Katie Leanne Russell, Noah Joel Russell and Judah David Russell. His great grandchildren are Jada-Brynn Blizard and Venetia E.C. Stavrinakis. Ben was preceded in death by his father, Senator Benson M. Russell, Sr. and his mother Fannie Lee Sarrett Russell and by his two sisters, Bobbie Lee Harris and Mary Bell Sistrunk, and a special Uncle and Aunt, Will and Mary Cannon.

Pallbearers are Raymond Baker, Johnny Evans, Francis Evans, Lavern Reeves, Randy Joe Robinson and Kevin Purdy.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Bonneau, 108 W. Church Street (P.O. Box 130), Bonneau, SC 29431