Bernard Benson

BERNARD PHILIP BENSON, SR. was born to Deloris Benson and James Brown on August 23, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois. 

Bernard graduated from Wendell Phillips High School and received his Associate of Business Administration from Central YMCA Community College.

Bernard was an avid basketball player in his youth, and he loved working for Jewel Food Stores for 42 years until his retirement in 2015.  Bernard was a sports fan enthusiast from little league to major league in every sport and he immensely enjoyed his western cowboy shows. 

Bernard was a believer in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and he rededicated his life on December 4, 2022.  He always told his wife Vicki “I’m going to pray for you” whenever they got into an argument. 

Bernard Philip Benson Sr. stepped into glory on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.  He passed away peacefully in the late evening hours with his loving and devoted wife Vicki by his side. 

The following family members preceded him in death:  their son, Bernard Rashee Benson, Jr., his Mother – Deloris Benson; his Father – James Brown; his second Dad and Father-in-law – Ernest I. Wiley, Sr.; his second Mom and Mother-in-law – Bessie E. Wiley; his Uncle – Joel Penman Sr. (Aunt Catherine’s husband); his two younger brothers, Donald Benson and Tony Benson, his nephew Duane Benson; his sister-in-law – Jessie Benson (his brother Albert’s wife); Ernest E. Wiley, Jr. (his brother-in-law).

He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife Vicki Benson, his Aunt Catherine Penman; sisters: Carolyn, Rochelle and Denise and older brother Albert; his granddaughter Jasmyne; his great-grandsons Kameron, Jaydin (DJ) and Jayce.  He leaves a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, and childhood friends.  Bernard was very private about his health challenges, forbidding his wife to talk to family and friends, but God blessed him with a wise wife who reached out to family, and he was especially happy by a surprise visit from his baby sister, Denise Benson and one of his dear friends, Jay Branch.  He spoke to many of his childhood friends but always upbeat and positive, never letting on that he was very ill.  He had a strong personality and never knew a stranger, making friends and connections in whatever setting he found himself in.

Bernard loved life to the fullest and left this side of Heaven on his own terms, he loved to travel, eat his gumbo, spend time with family and friends and loved being his wife’s “bodyguard” as he called himself.  His smile was infectious, always making friends and giving good advice – even though the truth would sting, it would be on point – he gave it to you straight, he didn’t sugar coat it. 

Bernard will be forever in our hearts for the loving man he was and for leaving a legacy that will carry on.  

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