Taft E. Benson

Taft E. Benson Jr. passed away (March 12, 2022) with his family close by. Born January 14, 1944, in the Elkton Tennessee area. Son of the late Taft and Tennie (Driver) Benson. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Tennessee State University and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1973. He completed further study at the SMU Graduate School of Banking in Dallas, TX in 1989. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and served as the Chapter President of the Milwaukee and Austin’s Alumni Chapters. He was very active in helping to establish an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at Texas A&M University. Taft is a member of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Gamma GammaBoule’).

He is survived by his wife Beatrice Benson, two adult children-Maurice E. Benson and Pamela B. Owens and son-in-law (Arlyn Owens) two grandchildren Allyson Sinclair Owens and Preston Alexander Owens, two brothers who live in Atlanta William and Robert Benson (Joyce), a sister Evelyn Hughes (George) and (Frances Tate) deceased, and eight nieces and nine nephews.

At an early age, Taft attended Driver Chapel AME Church. This church was owned by his mother’s (Tennie Driver) family. Immediately after graduation from Tennessee State University, Taft moved to Milwaukee to work. He attended St. Mark AME Church and served on the Trustee Board. After fourteen years, he grew tired of the long winters and decided to move his family to Texas. He joined the staff at Texas A & M University as Director of Financial Aid in Bryan College Station. The Benson family attended Aldersgate Methodist Church where Taft served as chairman of the Trustee Board. After five years at Texas A&M, Taft and family moved to Austin, Texas and the family joined Wesley United Methodist Church. In 1988, Taft began a very successful banking career with The Chase Manhattan Bank.

Taft had a distinguished career in academic financial services being frequently recognized for outstanding and innovative leadership and growth in the banking industry. He served as vice-president and regional manager for Education Finance for Chase Manhattan Bank, Citibank, Suntrust Bank and Collegiate Funding Services (founding member). As a community steward, he served on many boards and committees, including but not limited to: Student Financial Aid Administrator, active member of the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation’s Lender Advisory Committee, served as board chairman on Southwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, member of the US Department of Education (Negotiated Rulemaking Team) Board of Directors for Austin Area Urban League, Austin’s Children Museum, United Way of Bryan College Station, Mentor of the Year, Texas Guaranty Agency, Life member of the Austin Area Urban League, Chairman of Trustees and President of the Texas Association of Student Lenders for Education.

A memorial service for Taft will be held Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin, Texas 78750.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com for the Benson family.