Benjamin, Wilken

Deacon Wilken Benjamin, Sr. was the devoted son of the late Addison and Marie McCoy Benjamin. He was born in Darlington County, South Carolina on March 7, 1946. Wilken graduated from Butler High School with the Class of 1964. He went onto get his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Benedict College in 1968. He was united in holy matrimony for 40 years to Carolyn Campbell. This union was blessed with two children. Deacon Benjamin accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at an early age. He put Christ in the forefront of everything he did. He knew the importance of service. It was his willingness to serve that prompted him to work so diligently in his church, Jerusalem Baptist Church. He held several positions within the church. He was a former Trustee and currently a Deacon. Wilken was also a pillar in the community and loved by everyone that came into contact with him. He held many positions throughout the community. He was a member of Mt. Rona Masonic Lodge #348, where he was Secretary of the lodge for many years. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated; a member of the Board of Directors for the Butler Heritage Foundation; a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission for Darlington County; Officer and Executive Committee Member for Precinct #6; a member of the South Carolina Democratic Party; a member of the Hartsville Housing Authority; a member of the Benedict Tiger Club; and a member of the Hartsville Chapter Benedict College Alumni Association. As you can see his servitude had no end. Wilken was employed with AO Smith Water Heating Company. Wilken was a hard worker who loved his church, fraternity, lodge, and family. He was very generous with his time for everything he was involved in. He was not just a member in name, but he was always willing to assist in any way the he could. He was truly a soldier. Wilken also loved watching sports, particularly those Dallas Cowboys. He would often say “How bout them Cowboys!” When he was not working in the community, he would work in the yard, travel to games, tailgate, attend fraternity or Butler Heritage events, or spend time with his family. He loved his family and spending time with them. He will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who knew him. Wilken will be greatly missed by everyone. He was preceded in death by his parents, Addison and Marie Benjamin, his sisters, Hattie Bradshaw and Barbara Benjamin, and his daughter, Christal Robinson. Surviving to cherish the memory and maintain the legacy of Deacon Wilken Benjamin, Sr. are his loving wife, Carolyn Benjamin of Hartsville, SC; his son, Wilken (Lori) Benjamin II of Mundelein, IL; his daughter, Kenya (Jackie) Thompson of Kansas City, MO; six grandchildren, Wilken Benjamin III and Olivia Benjamin both of Mundelein, IL; Anastatia Robinson of Hartsville, SC; Ashley Bryant, Darien Robinson, and Xhave Jackson all of Baltimore, MD; a great grandson, Zayvion Hickman of Hartsville, SC; three sisters, Dorothy McCoy of Hartsville, SC, Mollie (Horace) McPhail of Lanham, MD, and Fannie (Johnny) Gibson of Baltimore, MD; a brother-in-law, Charlie (Viola) Campbell, Jr. of Warner Robbins, GA; a sister-in-law, Carolyn O Campbell of Bennettsville, SC; an uncle, Eugene (Earlene) McCoy of Hartsville, SC; an aunt Jessie McCoy of Patterson, NJ; special friends, Charles and Patricia Douglas, Bernice Wilson, and Alonzo McRaven, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and very dear friends.