Walter Ray Benton

Walter Ray Benton, 84, went to be with his Lord and Savior, July 3, 2021. Although Walter lived most of his adult life in Portsmouth, Virginia, he was a native of Perquimans County, North Carolina. He was the son of the late Kermit McCullen Benton and Lina Belle Nurney. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Tatum Benton, and son, Richard Eric Benton. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Ruth Ayscue Benton; two sons, Gary Benton (Dixie) and Wayne Benton (Carmen); and a daughter, Susan Hedgepeth (Steve); grandchildren, Julia Lonzon (Christian), Leah Ann Culpepper (Tim), Jeremy Cooper (Angie), Jacob Simmons (Melissa), Allison Schuermann (Nate), Phillip Simmons (Lauren), Zachary Benton (Amanda), Skylar Hedgepeth, Aiden Hedgepeth and Ty Hedgepeth; great-grandchildren, Joshua Sawyer, Brianna Sawyer, Angil Lonzon, Hannah Moody, Matthew Lonzon, Abby Moody, Madelynn Cooper, Judy Culpepper, Riley Schuermann, Kai Lonzon, Jennifer Simmons, Kaylee Simmons, Abigail Simmons, Emilia Benton, Sawyer Schuermann, Peyton Simmons, Natalie Simmons; and a brother Carlton Benton. Walter loved spending time with his family, especially the large family gatherings around the holidays which always included good food and fellowship. He was very thankful for all the many blessings God had bestowed upon him and his family. When not spending time with his family, Walter loved the great outdoors. He enjoyed sitting in the woods hunting deer and squirrel as well as catching fish from the pier. He also loved working in his vegetable and flower gardens and sharing the harvest from his efforts. Walter and Ruth moved to Portsmouth shortly after getting married in search of a job, which he quickly landed as a Butcher/Meat Manager for Belo Supermarket. Then he sold life Insurance for a short while and later owned Benton’s Confectionary store in Cradock for one year before deciding to take a job with Sears & Roebuck. He remained with Sears for 36 years; 18 years in the retail store and 18 years as an Allstate Insurance Company Agent. He retired from Benton’s Allstate Insurance in 1997 and enjoyed many years of retirement with Ruth. Walter loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and was a long time member of Alexander Baptist Church. He enjoyed Bible Study, worship, and Christian fellowship. He was loved by all his family and friends and will be greatly missed, until we meet again in our heavenly home. A service to celebrate Walter’s life will be held Thursday, July 8, 2021, at 1:30 pm in Loving Funeral Home. Entombment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. The family will receive friends at Loving Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, from 6:00-7:30pm.