Obituary of Ellen E. Benson

Ellen Jackson Benson, the first child of John A. Jackson and Ellen Bailey Jackson, was born on February 4, 1935. While she was born in Magnolia, NJ, she lived in Lawnside from the age of 7 until her passing on December 17, 2023, at the age of 88. She attended Lawnside Public School and Haddon Heights High School. She was one of the first recipients of an award from the Lawnside Scholarship Club when she graduated high school because she was the student with the highest average from Lawnside in 1952. She was awarded $150.00, and it was enough to pay for her entire first semester at Temple University. Ellen or Bette, as she was lovingly called, loved her family deeply and was proud that she came from one of the oldest families in Lawnside and surrounding areas. She often reminisced about growing up with her two brothers, George and John and her two sisters, Lillian and Carolyn. She came from a loving home that was centered around the church and the teaching of God’s word. When her mother passed when she was only 16, she stepped into the role of helping to raise her siblings with the help of her maternal grandparents and her paternal aunts. She took her role as the big sister seriously even when she and her sisters were in their eighties. She was hired full-time as a clerk at the Lawnside Post Office. After three years, she was appointed Postmaster. She increased the Lawnside postal service’s profitability upgrading its status. Then in 1960, she oversaw the construction of a new post office which still stands at Warwick Road and Emlen Avenue. She set up home mail delivery in 1969 and personally developed the +4 zip code numbers for each Lawnside address. She retired after 35 years of service. She also worked faithfully for 15 years as an administrative assistant and personal secretary to the Reverend Dr. Dennis L. Blackwell of Asbury United Methodist Church in Woodlynne, NJ. She was married to James A. Benson, who she was friends with since Sunday School at Mt. Pisgah, for 58 years until his passing in 2013. Together they had three daughters, Tanya Ellen, Pamela Eileen and Bethany Anne. She was a devoted and quite capable mother. After her husband went into the ministry, she readily served as First Lady of the congregations that he pastored. Together they mentored several younger pastors and their spouses. She worked tirelessly within the African Methodist Episcopal Church starting as a member of Mount Pisgah A.M.E. in Lawnside where she returned upon her husband’s retirement. She held many offices in the local church, the Camden- Trenton District and throughout the state. She sang on the choir, worked with the Youth, was a Class Leader and Pastor’s Aide. She was a committed Missionary. She worked for a time as news editor and headline writer for The Lawnside Chronicle, the town’s newspaper in the 1950s. She was a member of the Lawnside Scholarship Club, Inc., for 40 years serving in many capacities including president. A lover of history, she was supportive of her husband’s efforts as he created the Benson History Museum that was in Lawnside. It was a repository of books, artifacts, articles and photographs documenting the multicultural experience that has shaped our world. The museum was open to the public until storms heavily damaged the building. She then began traveling with her daughter to show the artifacts and antiques and give history lessons when asked. She also adapted when the pandemic hit to give monthly online lessons with historical pictures and commentary with help from Mr. Raymond Byard. Ellen was theeee card lady. She remembered birthdays, anniversaries, and wanted to encourage those who were down. If you needed a hat for an event, she was the go-to lady with dozens of hats, gloves and shoes to match. She had a certain flair that was not over the top, but she had style! She was honored by Mt. Pisgah Church as one of the Mothers of The Church, the Camden-Trenton District Love Luncheon, The Lawnside Scholarship Club, The Lawnside Education Foundation, Camden County and the Borough of Lawnside by honoring her with a Hometown Hero Flag which is displayed on Warwick Road. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. James A. Benson, her son-in-law, Martin M. Phillips, her brothers, George and John Jackson and her parents, Mayor John and Ellen Jackson. Ellen is survived by her three daughters Tanya Bailey and her husband Norman, Pamela Phillips and Bethany King and her husband Walter, who was also her personal chef. Her sisters Lillian Jackson and Carolyn Gaines. Three sisters-in-law Joella Benson, Lillian Quarles, and Priscilla Jackson. Her grandchildren Jamie Cole, Esq and her husband Jeff, Brooke Jefferson and her husband Stephen, Walter Jr. and his wife Olfa, Sydnee King (Darrell), Shelby King and Rebecca Phillips. Great Grand-children, Karter Cole, Isaiah, Elijah and Joshua Jefferson. Bonus Grand-children Cecily Phillips, Dereck Satchell Jr. and Little Miss Rylee Jordan Arthur and her Godchild Cynthia Primas and a host of family and friends. Submitted With Love, The Family