Ernie Benge

  Ernie Dale Benge, 58 of Brandywine Drive died Tuesday July 8, 2008 at Hospice and Palliative Care of Catawba Valley. Born June 12, 1950 he was the son of the late Ernest Benge and Elizabeth Alpha Fry Benge. He has a late half brother, Reverend Terry Eugene Beard of Washington State.  Ernie was a Charter Member of New Life Baptist Church, a deacon and usher as well. Ernie was also a meat cutter at Harris Teeter and Galaxy grocery stores.  He is survived by wife Barbara Boone Benge of the home, two sons; Mark Benge of Hickory, Scott Benge of Butner; one stepson; Buddy Swanner of Marion, one stepdaughter; Valerie Eckard of Hickory and grandchildren.  A celebration of Ernie's life will be 3:00 p.m. Thursday July 10 at New Life Baptist Church with Pastors Steve Clark and Danny Deal officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 2-3 p.m. prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Chapel at Murdoch Developmental Center, P.O. Box 3000, Butner NC, 27509, and to the New Life Baptist Church Building Fund at 4639 County Home Road, Conover, NC 28613.  Express your thoughts and memories in the online guestbook at www.jenkinsfuneral.net. Jenkins Funeral Home & Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.