Ben Wesley Nine

Ben Nine went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, August 25, 2024 surrounded by loved ones. He walked through the gates of Heaven and into the arms of his beloved wife of 68 years, Nita, who awaited him at the throne of Jesus. What a rejoicing that must have been!

Ben was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who gave all he had to provide the best lives possible for his family, working himself up from the poverty of the Great Depression to a comfortable and respectable home he shared with his wife and children and a legacy that cannot be fully described here. His love for the Lord was made evident through the work he did at First Baptist Church of Hickory, North Carolina ranging from being Youth Sunday School Director, driving the church bus on long trips with the Youth Choir, and working diligently to bring the majestic Casavant organ to enhance the worship experience of his beloved church.

He loved to be outdoors whether hunting, fishing, camping, or working in his yard. He instilled that love for the handiwork of God in his children and grandchildren through many trips to the Blue Ridge mountains or trout streams from Western North Carolina to Montana. Standing in a river with a fly rod in his hand was one of his favorite things, and he shared the beauty and tranquility of that sport with many children and adults alike who learned to cast under his direction.

Ben had a long and productive 50-year career with Carolina Cat and built that career on strong relationships. He forged lifelong friendships and commitments with coworkers and customers built on integrity, honesty, hard work, and loyalty. When asked why he was still working in his late 70s and early 80s, his response was, “I just love selling yellow iron to my friends.” Those friendships meant the world to him and the family would like to thank all who knew him in that capacity for the love and support shown over the years.

In the end, Ben was a kind and generous soul, described by those who cared for him as always smiling and one of the kindest, sweetest men they’ve ever known. He was preceded in death by his soulmate and high school sweetheart, Virginia Juanita Nine, whom he dearly missed since December 2020 and his parents Alvin and Flossie Nine from Knoxville, Tennessee. He is survived by his children, Alan (Laura) Nine of Hickory, Tami (Bunk) Russell of Knoxville, his cherished granddaughters Hannah Nine and Kacey (Mike) Smith, and the great-grandchildren he adored, Emberly Grace, Kyler Ben, and Carson Smith.

A celebration of the lives of both Ben and Nita Nine will be held at First Baptist Church of Hickory, North Carolina at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to CADES Adult Day Services, 11020 Roane Dr, Knoxville, TN 37934 or First Baptist Church, 339 2nd Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601.