DeWayne Benning Sr.'s Obituary
DeWayne Benning, Sr., 68, of Chattanooga, crossed over to be with the Lord on Monday, January 1, 2024, in a local hospital. He was affectionately known as “Wayne” and was born April 4, 1955, to the proud and loving parents Rufus and Mary E. Benning in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was loved by so many as he was full of life, witty, loving, well known, and never met a stranger. DeWayne accepted Christ at an early age and attended Miracle Missionary Baptist Church, where he served on the Usher Board. He attended Howard High School where he loved his hustling tigers and graduated in 1973. While attending Howard, Wayne excelled at basketball, and was best known for his standout performance and impersonation of Flip Wilson’s “Geraldine Jones”. Wayne was a veteran of the United States Army. He received his CDL license from Draughon’s Junior College. Wayne was loved for his big heart, great sense of humor, as well as his outspoken and outgoing personality. He was a true comedian who loved joking around and would have you laughing from the time you started talking to him until you left. He always had a lively, vivacious, and positive spirit with a great sense of humor. There was never a dull moment when you were around him. He brought so much joy to his family. In 1993, Wayne met the love of his life, Miss Shawn Monroe whom he married on March 4, 1996. Wayne was a very loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren who were his pride and joy. Wayne retired in April of 2018 from the City of Chattanooga. DeWayne was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus and Mary E. Benning; two sons, Terrance Patton and Antonio Few; a sister, Barbara Jean; two nephews, Randall “Yogi” Hamler and Michael Benning; aunts, Dorothy Smith, Bonnie Sparks, Lizzie Mayfield, Willie B. Benning, and Christine Benning; and two uncles, Edward Benning and Alonzo Benning. Wayne leaves to cherish his loving memories: loving wife, Shawn Monroe-Benning; four daughters, Yolanda Benning, DaWanda Benning, Monika Benning, and Candence Hudson; sons, Terrance Williams and Jonathan McKibben; grandchildren, Charles Wilson, Christopher Wilson, Charity Wilson, JaMichael Wooden, Shania Wooden, D’Asia Benning, Todasia Featherstone, Ka’Saude Featherstone, and Terrance Patton, Jr.; eight great-grandchildren; father-in-law, David Monroe; mother-in-law, Sadye (Olin) McCain; loving and devoted brothers, Rufus (Annie Bell) Benning, Larry Benning, and Mahood Abdullah; loving and devoted sisters, Linda Benning and Brenda Davis; sisters-in-law, Annie Bell Benning, Elizabeth England, Venus McCain, Lawanda Spears, and Jacqueline Smiley; aunt, Bettye Swan; a host of aunts; uncles; nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives; and many dear friends. Wayne will lie-in-state on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 9 a.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel with Pastor Darryl Smith as the eulogist. Burial on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
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