Robert William Benton
October 8,1936 – December 24, 2022
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”
2 Timothy 4:7 KJV
Robert William Benton peacefully left this earth to be with Jesus on Christmas Eve at home surrounded by his loving family. His unwavering faith in Jesus Christ was the cornerstone of his strength over the years of pain he endured.
He was born October 8, 1936, in Livingston, Louisiana, where he lived until he met the love of his life, Ronda. They married January 4, 1958, and were married nearly 65 years. His gypsy blood took them to Alaska and Colorado to work, where his heart stayed even after he returned to Louisiana.
A father of three, he loved his family fiercely; but to Robert, family was more than blood. He named a number of friends as brothers and many more children as grandchildren. He spent a lot of time telling stories and laughing, even to his last days where some of his final conversations were telling jokes. It was likely that if you knew Robert, you would have been on the receiving end of his jokes, but you could rest assured, he wouldn’t pick on you if he didn’t love you. He was an outdoorsman at heart and always wanted to see what was on the other side of the mountain- what made him unique was his determination to always follow that desire. Also an avid hunter, he took many trips over his years including his final trip to Canada with his son, Lathan, where he made his most prized kill, a 9-point whitetail deer. Much to Ronda’s dismay, one of his pastimes for years included practicing his elk calls to prepare for his most memorable elk hunt in Colorado with Lathan and son-in-law, Tom. Called Sweetie, Dad, Daddy, and Papaw, he is survived by his wife, Ronda, his daughter, Sandra Mitchell and husband Tom, his son, Lathan Benton and wife Christie, 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kaye Cormier. Visitation to honor Robert will be held at Fundamental Baptist Church in Livingston, Louisiana on Friday, December 30th from 10 am to 12 pm followed by religious services conducted by Rev. Rusty Silvertooth and Rev Joey Wampler. He will be laid to rest at Fundamental Baptist Church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Mitchell, Jake Mitchell, Logan Farrow, Thadd Lavigne, Preston Jones, and Dylan Hughes.
Honorary pallbearers will be Lucas Lavigne and Gage Keel.
In honor of Robert’s dedication to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, please consider donations to Beams Bible Ministry, POBox 10200, Gulfport, MIssissippi, 39505, in lieu of flowers.