Obituary of Jerome Benjamin Sr.

On October 2, 1960 a wonderful baby boy was born to the late Bettie Jean Benjamin Harrison in Bridgeton New Jersey.

Jerome was a graduate of the class of 1979 from Cumberland Regional High School. Jerome was very active in sports. Jerome nickname was "Skyy" because he did not have the height needed to dunk. Jerome would go from the foul line and dunk (fly it was amazing to watch). A picture of one of his many dunks is displayed in the Bridgeton Hall of Fame in Bridgeton, NJ.

At an early age Jerome, along his siblings attended the St. Phillip’s Missionary Baptist Church where he was baptized. Jerome attended New Hope Baptist Church with his mother until he enlisted into the US Army. When Jerome returned to New Jersey he moved Pleasantville, NJ for over fifteen years. He was a member of the Reaching Out Ministries. The Ministry’s main goal is to reach out to friends, family, and peers, and people throughout the world through radio, internet, and face to face spreading the word that Jesus saves. Several years ago Jerome returned to Bridgeton. Jerome would visit his family and friends churches in hopes of finding a church home. Jerome found a church that was in need of a servant. Jerome met Pastor Russell Alston the pastor of the Word of Grace New Covenant Ministries on Bank Street, in Bridgeton NJ where they have bible study, nationwide rehab, detox with free trans-portation, and a substance abuse program. Jerome provided his car and time in assisting people in getting the assistance they needed.

Jerome was employed with the Department of Corrections as Correctional Officer at the Bayside State Prison in Leesburg, NJ. Jerome was medically retired from the Veteran Administration. Jerome served in the US Army for eight years as an 82nd Airborne Soldier Sergeant. Jerome would never let you forget that he was Airborne.

In 2012 Jerome wanted to do something to honor his mother. Jerome was the founder of the Bettie’s Way Foundation. The foundation services the Atlantic and Cumberland area. The foundation assists children in getting the school supplies and other necessities needed for school. The foundation also assists families as a whole in crisis situations. Jerome recently had given the Fairfield School System a huge contribution for their children. For the past two years he has been Santa Claus at the Alms Center spreading his love to the children. Jerome is also a member of the Street for Justice Wild Hogs Motorcycle Club. This club mission is to support commu-nities with mentoring, financial support and any other services that are needed in the community. In September 2017 my brother was with the club when he lost control of his motorcycle and was severely injured while trying to help someone in need. The members have been very supportive while Jerome was in was in the hospital, when he left us on January 24, 2018, and has been around with the family during our time of bereavement and they are here today serving today.

Jerome loved his family and friends. When there was a need in the family or with friends, you could depend on Jerome to come through. Jerome was kindhearted, outgoing, caring, funny, and dependable. Jerome was also very "loud" whether at church, restaurants, on the streets or whenever he would let you know when he was coming and going.

So as you look back on his life you can see that the Lord had truly blessed him and allowed him to do the work that God had for him to do before his departure. We can Praise the Lord, God welcomed Jerome Benjamin Sr home. Jerome leaves to cherish his memories his fiancé Alison Melvin (Jerome was planning to join her next month), his children; Jerome Benjamin (Elena) Benjamin Jr, Durham North Carolina, Nakesha Johnson, Millville NJ, Zulehkan Clarke, Charlotte, NC, Jalissa Peterson Flint MI, Urie (Allan) Anderson, Bridgeton NJ, Leah Benjamin, Bridgeton NJ. Jerome has 5 grandchildren (one on the way), his father; Clarence Benjamin, Sr. of Bridgeton, NJ , four sisters ; Cheryl Trawick, West Deptford, NJ, Sonya Rogers, Bridgeton NJ, Charlotte (Abraham) Jones of Bridgeton, NJ, honorary sister Audrey Ellis, three brothers ; Clarence (Laura) Benjamin, NY, Damon (Azure) Benjamin Clayton NJ, Bradley Harrison, Bridgeton NJ two aunts ; Sarah Ellis, Bridgeton NJ and Eve Lee Whitfield, Bridgton, NJ and a host of nieces’ nephews and cousins. Jerome was pre-deceased by his mother Bettie Harrison, Stepfather Clyde Harrison and his grandson Dion Rainear.

Sorrowfully Submitted,

The Family