Obituary of Ruth Benson

Obituary

Ruth J. Benson was born on September 8, 1926 to the late Ollie and Joseph Johnson.  Ruth grew up in Lawnside, NJ as one of 11 children, 10 girls and the youngest the only boy. She attended Lawnside Elementary School and Haddon Heights High School. Because of her love for learning she went on to attend Glassboro State Teachers College where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1950.

Following college Ruth went on to become an elementary school teacher for Lawnside Public School for over 30 years.  She was known as a firm but loving teacher who often showed special concern for children who needed extra care because of their familysituation, sometimes even buying clothes for those who did not have or just giving that extra attention for those that might not get it at home.

Ruth married in 1964 her childhood friend, William “Billy” Benson, a schoolmate and a member of her church.  They had one son Mark who died at the age of ten. Ruth grew up in a close-knit large family and her spirituality and love of God was passed down to her by her spiritual and Godly parents Ollie and Joseph Johnson who were very active in the Church and the community.  So, this legacy of love, Godliness and family unity was  exhibited by Ruth in her love and devotion to her siblings and siblings’ children and to the youth in Lawnside when she would go out of her way to sponsor singing lessons or buy church dresses for those in need.

Ultimately, led by her devotion to Christ, Ruth spent most of her life serving in the church as Sunday School teacher and later as Sunday School Superintendent at both Grace Temple Baptist and then at Bible Baptist Church in Lindenwold.  Ruth also shared her musical gifts by singing in the church choir.

In the midst of her retirement from a lengthy career in education, Ruth became a caretaker for her two God children, Ashley and Chelsea Reynolds, in 1989 and 1993   respectively. And while their parent’s military assignments eventually placed the girls outside of South Jersey, the bond between Ruth, Billy and their God children was never broken.  The married couple opened their home to Ashley and Chelsea every summer, even after both girls went off to college. 

Ruth was a member of several organizations including Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, the Lawnside Scholarship Club and the Camden County Branch of the NAACP. In January 2019, Ruth relocated from her home in Lawnside to Yardley Commons in Voorhees where she became good friends with many of the residents and participated in the communities’ activities – from musical performances to movie night.

Ruth was predeceased by her beloved husband William and son Mark.  Also left to mourn her passing are her sisters Inez Harris of Mt Laurel, Mae Pitts of Lawnside, and Leola Johnson of Voorhees and her brother Joseph (Patricia) Johnson of Lawnside.  Also surviving are her adopted God children Ashley and Chelsea Reynolds and Dollie Jones of New Haven, Michigan, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.