Harmon T. Benson

2014. Troy was born on October 23, 1927 to George and Sadie Benson in Jemison,

Alabama. He was one of four brothers, Commodore, Alton and Trenton. Troy

graduated as valedictorian of Jemison High School and received a Silver Certificate

for his achievements and merits. After graduation, he studied at the Birmingham

Southern College Music Conservatory. In the late 1940s, he followed his passion for :

gospel music and joined the Legionnaires, a gospel quartet. He toured with the

Legionnaires until 1950 when he answered the call for service during the Korean War

and joined the National Guard Air Force (73rd Trp Car. Squadron). He served as a

Senior Clerk at Lawson AFB in Fort Benning, Georgia.

Upon completion of his military duties, Troy returned to Alabama to work in the

personnel department at US Steel. He rejoined the gospel quartet he loved so dearly

(now called the Key Masters) and recorded records at WVOK Record Station in

Birmingham. Gospel music proved to be a pivotal component of his life in 1954

when he met his beautiful future bride-to-be, Ruby Jo Hallman at an All-Day Sing-In

at the County Line Baptist Church (Clay County). Over lunch, he asked for her

telephone number and two weeks later, he took her on their first date to the Lyric

Theater in downtown Birmingham. Troy later proposed to Ruby Jo at Vulcan; they

married June 8, 1957 and have been Birmingham residents since.

Troy was a hard-working, generous and dedicated man. He was employed by US

Steel for 37 years and worked for the State of Alabama for over 20 years. He was a

vintage car connoisseur and had several beloved pet cats over the years. Troy was a

Freemason, a Shriner and part of the Shriner Quartet.

He was a lifetime member and musician at Rocky Mount United Methodist Church.

He regularly played music at services and could be often heard practicing hymns on

his organ and piano at home. Troy frequently attended church sing-ins across the

southeast and loved traveling to new places. Governor Bob Riley recognized his

significant contribution to gospel music when he deemed July 25,2010 as Harmon

Troy Benson Day in the state of Alabama. Troy believed that his gospel music was a

powerful way to reach others and tell them about Jesus Christ. He had a strong walk

with the Lord; his unwavering faith and devotion to God was palpable.

More than anything, Troy loved spending time with his family - he is survived by

wife of 57 years, Ruby Jo, daughters; Kim (& Mike Seale) and Candace (& Stewart

White); grandchildren Brandon (& Bethany Seale), Kayla (& Jonathan Watson), and

Nathan; and two great-grandchildren, Sadie and Emily Watson. Wake and funeral

services will be on Thursday with visitation from 12:00 until service time at 2:00 pm at

Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to The Rocky Mountain United Methodist Church or Hospice.