Doris Platt Benson

Doris Platt Benson was born on September 11, 1932 in Dillon County, South Carolina, the youngest of five children born to Carlie Platt and Frances McEachern Platt. She was educated in the Dillon County public schools and graduated from high school at the age of 16. She went on to attend college at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, S.C., where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Library Science. During college, she was inducted into the Alpha Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated and was a life-time member of her sorority. Mrs. Benson was married to Joseph Hoefer Benson and they had four children, Gale, Eric, Torre and Sterlin. The family lived in Columbia, S.C. and became a viable part of the community. Doris was planning to attend graduate school in library science, when her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer. After two years of caring for her husband, she was widowed at the age of 37. Despite her devastating loss, her unwavering faith sustained her while raising four children alone. Mrs. Benson was a well-respected educator whose career with Richland County (SC) School District One spanned nearly 30 years. Her tenure with the district began in 1966 as a librarian at Fairwold Elementary School. In 1970, she went to work as a Media Specialist at Burnside Elementary School, where she was much loved by students for her creative and dramatic style of storytelling. She retired from the school district in 1992. Mrs. Benson was so committed to her profession, she rarely missed a day of school during her decades of service. A typical librarian, Doris was an avid reader, who spent hours combing through bookstores long after her retirement. Mrs. Benson was a dedicated member of the historic First Calvary Baptist Church in Columbia, S.C., where she was a member of the Board of Trustees, the Pulpit Aid Club, worked with the youth group and served as the Women’s Day speaker. She was also active in numerous civic, social and educational organizations including the Columbia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated. After living in Columbia, S.C. for nearly 40 years, Mrs. Benson moved to Charlotte, N.C. 18 years ago after the birth of her granddaughter, Symphony Webber. She was very instrumental in raising Symphony and felt truly blessed to see her graduate from high school in May and prepare to attend college at Duke University. Doris loved living with her daughter, Sterlin and her beloved son-in-law Spurgeon, while watching Symphony grow up. She endeared herself to everyone who entered their home and some of her happiest days were spent preparing meals for family and friends. While Mrs. Benson devoted her entire life to caring for her children and her grandchildren, she still found time to become a mother figure to many others. People were drawn to her patient, calm demeanor and strong Christian values. Doris showed kindness to everyone she met and amassed a large circle of friends. Even as she was clinging to life, she was still bringing people into the fold. The staff at Carolina’s Medical Center grew fond of her, as friends and family filled her hospital room to surround her with love. Doris Benson was a loving mother, proud grandmother, loyal friend, lifelong educator and devout Christian, who attended Friendship Missionary Baptist Church during her time in Charlotte. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Joseph Hoefer Benson, two brothers, Mr. Ernest Platt and Mr. Carlie Platt, Jr., and a sister, Mrs. Inez Newberry. She leaves her children a lasting legacy of faith, something she valued more than anything else. Her legacy will live on in her daughters, Gale Patrice Benson, Sterlin Benson Webber and son-in-law, Dr. Spurgeon Webber, III are all of Charlotte, NC, her sons, Eric Carlton Benson of Summerville, SC and Torre Hanes Benson of Charlotte, NC, six grandchildren, Marlon Levar Benson, Erik Clayton Benson, Brandon Kyle Benson, Emery Benson, Adrienne Monique Coleman and Symphony Bouvier Webber, two great-grandchildren, a brother, Dr. Russell L. Platt, of Akron, Ohio, a sister-in-law, Mrs. Mary Ruth Byuarm, of Charlotte, NC and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Doris Platt Benson

September 11, 1932 - July 30, 2015