Bennett Bolton Clance

The Rev. Deacon, Bennett “Ben” Bolton Clance passed away Sunday August 30th, 2026, Fleming Island, Florida. He was born August 5th, 1934, to Ernest Edward Clance Sr. and Nanny Ruth Bolton Clance in Jacksonville, Florida. Ben worked as a lab technician at St. Regis Paper company for 40 years. Then continued his career at Simplex Grinnell as a Quality Control Supervisor until his retirement.

After retirement, Ben devoted his time to minister to prisoners, including those on death row, at Florida State Penitentiary in Stark, Florida. He continued his commitment to that ministry for 15 years, making a deep impact on the prisoners and their families. Ben was also involved with Kairos Prison Ministry following the prisoner’s incarceration. In addition to his prison ministry, Ben visited and ministered to the residents at Cathedral Towers Senior Living community.

His family, along with his faith, was the most important thing to him. He served both with love, compassion and humor.

Ben was predeceased by his wife of nearly 65 years, Patricia “Pat” Raines Clance, his parents, his brother Ernest Edward Clance Jr., and his sister Judith Clance Lynch. He was also predeceased by his granddaughter, Megan Denise Murphy.

Ben is survived by his daughters, Robyn Murphy (Michael) and Cynthia Hawkins (Michael) and his nephew/son Todd Metz (Ashley); grandchildren, Kristen Crowell and Kyle Halstead; step grandchildren Andrew Hawkins (Lindsey), Adam Hawkins (Diana) and Michael Hawkins; great grandchildren Bennett Crowell, Sarah Megan Crowell, Drew Hawkins and Finn Hawkins. He is also survived by sisters in law Kathy Mattox (Wayne) and Wendy Brashier (Joe) and many dear nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to home nurse Jean Marie Guirlene Romelus for her tender love, care, support and commitment to Ben and his family for the last couple of years.

If you would like to honor Ben, donations may be made to either the Community Hospice & Palliative Care of St. John’s County, Florida or the Megan D. Murphy Endowment Scholarship, Mercer University, 1400 Coleman Avenue, Attn: Shawna Dooley, Office of Advancement, Macon, Georgia 31207.

A memorial service will be held Friday September 25th, 2026, at 3pm at Saint John’s Cathedral, 256 East Church Street, Jacksonville, Florida officiated by The Very Rev. Kate Morehead, Dean of Saint John’s Cathedral, and The Rev. Raja Zabaneh.