Eldora Benjamin's Obituary
Peace my heart...Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet, let it not be a death but
completeness. Let love melt into memory and pain into songs. Let the flight through the sky end
in the folding of the wings over the next. Let the last touch of your hands be gentle like the
flower of the night. Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment and say your last words in silence.
I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light you on your way.” ~ Rabindranath Tagore
Eldora Forrest Benjamin was March 23, 1947 to Mr. L.M. Forrest and Mrs. Zelma Mae
Robinson Forrest in Winona, Mississippi. Eldora received her wings to glory and took
flight on May 24, 2021.
Eldora expressed her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ at age ten at Bethlehem
Missionary Baptist Church and was baptized and united with Bethlehem Missionary
Baptist Church in Kilmichael, Mississippi.
Eldora attended the Montgomery County Vocational High School in Kilmichael,
Mississippi. She married Mr. Joseph Benjamin in 1965. From this union they bore four
children, Ms. Benedetta Benjamin, Ms. Josezetta Benjamin, Mr. Joseph Benjamin, Jr.
and Mr. Joshua Benjamin.
Eldora and Joseph lived in Greenwood, Mississippi for a short time and in 1968 later
relocated to Saint Louis, Missouri, where she lived for the remaining time of her
Earthly journey.
Early on Eldora, with her husband and family, joined Good Shephard Church on
Kingshighway and after some years later, she joined Sanfrancisco Temple Church of
God in Christ and was a devoted member to both churches. She enjoyed singing in
the choir and also sang with gospel group, the Velvetones. She was a born again
trumpet-sounding praise-worshiping soldier for the Lord.
Eldora loved nothing more than family. She loved spending time with her family and
traveling up and down the road to Mississippi or flying wherever her children or family
members were willing to take her. But she didn’t mind traveling down 55 to see her
down south family. She enjoyed traveling and when opportunity presented itself, she
took advantage and can be seen in family photos enjoying herself again and again
with family.
Eldora leaves behind her loving family to mourn her departure: her husband, whom
she was separated from ~ Joseph Benjamin; children Mrs. Bendetta Benjamin-Cobb
(Cherrie), Ms. Josezetta Motley (ex-husband, Joel Motley, Sr.); Mr. Joseph Benjamin,
Jr. and Joshua Benjamin (Candace James); grandchildren ~ Michael Franklin, Jr.,
NiQuia Franklin, Joseph Benjamin, III, Dunieka Benjamin, Joel Motley, III, Jarrod
Motley, Janae Motley, Jasper Motley, Brittany McNutt, Joshua Benjamin, Jr., JacQuise
Benjamin, Jaleesa Benjamin, Jermaine Benjamin, Kimisha Benjamin, Kyle Benjamin,
Kortez Benjamin, Kaya Benjamin, Kalea Benjamin and a host of great grandchildren,
nieces and nephews.
She also leaves to mourn her passing: her mother ~ Mrs. Zelma Forrest of Kilmichael,
Mississippi; two sisters ~ Jossie Hearn (George - deceased) of Winona, Mississippi
and Flora Hargrove (Henderson - deceased) of Memphis, Tennessee; five brothers ~
Riley Forrest (Ruby) of Crawford, Mississippi, L. M. Forrest, Jr. (Patricia - deceased) of
Winona, Mississippi; Lee Alfred Forrest (Marilyn) of Winona, Mississippi; Theo Forrest
of Winona, Mississippi and J. L. Forrest (Ethel Mae - deceased) of Winona, Mississippi;
two aunts ~ Betty Jean Forrest and Daisey Lee Robinson of Winona, Mississippi and
one uncle ~ K. T. Robinson of Duck Hill, Mississippi.
What’s your fondest memory of Eldora?
What’s a lesson you learned from Eldora?
Share a story where Eldora's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Eldora you’ll never forget.
How did Eldora make you smile?