Elsie Brinkley Benson

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, May 16, 2026 in the chapel of McLaurin Funeral Home with Pastor David Sutphin officiating. Entombment will follow at the Pinecrest Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at the funeral home, prior to the service.

She was born in Johnston County on September 6, 1932, to the late James Thelton Brinkley and the late Maudie Eason Brinkley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Millard M. Benson, in 1996; a son, Barry Flynn Benson, in 2024; her brothers J.R. Brinkley, Jasper Brinkley, and Bob Brinkley; and her sisters Rudean Senter and Jean Massengill.

Mrs. Benson retired from AT&T (formerly Southern Bell) and enjoyed 36 years of service.

She is survived by her daughter, Gail Benson Barefoot, and husband, Johnnie; sons, Phillip Benson and wife, Robin, Ronnie Benson and wife, Dawn, Neal Benson and wife, Lisa; daughter-in-law, Beverly Benson; grandchildren, Lisa Benson, Amanda Metts, Dennis Benson, Anthony Benson, Jason Benson, Wesley Benson, Jessica Mann, Brett Benson, and Seth Benson; twelve great-grandchildren; and one sister Helen Worley.

Online condolences may be made to the family at: www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com

In addition to flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to: Brookdale of Smithfield Assisted Living.

McLaurin Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Benson family.