Burritt E. Benson, Jr., 85, of Lumberton, N.C., passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 20, 2025. He was born September 16, 1939, in Orangeburg, SC to the late Burritt E. Benson, Sr., and Juanita George Benson.
Burt earned his Eagle Scout badge with the Boy Scouts of America in 1956. He graduated from Lumberton High School in 1957. He graduated from the Citadel, Charleston, SC in 1961 as a commissioned 2nd Lt. US Army Reserves, Corp of Engineers. He served 2.5 years active duty with the 16th Engr. Bri. Ft. Hood, Texas, with an honorable discharge as Captain, USAR in May 1963. After his service, Burt returned to his family’s construction business as VP, of B.E. Benson Co., Inc., Lumberton, NC, a licensed highway, grading, and public utilities company. He worked there until his father sold to Crowell Constructors, Inc., Fayetteville, NC. He then became a VP with them and oversaw the Lumberton division. Later he went to work with Bollinger Construction in Lumberton until he started his own firm, Larutan of Carolina, Inc., changing the name to Benson Construction, Inc. in 1986.
He was also president of Benson & Co., Lumberton, NC, a real estate and development firm, developing subdivisions. On September 18, 1976, Burt received Jesus Christ as his personal savior and proceeded to serve God in all he attempted to do and say. Recognizing and understanding from then on, “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” Psalm 127:1. His love for God, family, employees, friends, and country is the cornerstone of his legacy.
During his years of serving the community, he was a member of the Associated General Contractors of America, awarded the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Gov. James Martin, served as Chairman of the Board for the Robeson County Dept. Social Services, former chairman of the local Robeson County Republican Party, inducted into the NCGOP Hall of Fame, served on the Board of Directors for the Lumberton Boys & Girls Club of America, member and past president of Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship, member and past president of Lumberton Rotary Club, member of Hyde Park Baptist Church, and life member of the American Legion J.D. Monroe Post 42, and life member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Burt was preceded in death by his parents and his beautiful wife of 61 years, Jan Benson.
He is survived by his children: Burritt “Bucky” E. Benson III (Sara) of Lumberton, NC, Amy Benson of New Bern, NC, and Stephen Benson of Lumberton, NC; his grandchildren: Sarahgrace Mitchell (Ty), Ellis Benson, Emily Britt (Jason), and Caleb Benson; his great-grandson, Michael Mitchell; the employees of Benson Construction; his devoted caregivers: JoJo Locklear, Debra Locklear, and BAYADA Home Health; and special friends, Marylyn Britt and Nancy Oswald.
A time of visitation will be held prior to the service on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Hyde Park Baptist Church in Lumberton, NC. Following the visitation, a funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM with the Rev. Jeff Blackburn officiating. Burial will follow in Meadowbrook Cemetery in Lumberton.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Liver Transplant Program at Duke Health. Please make checks payable to Duke and mail to Duke Health Development and Alumni Affairs, 300 West Morgan Street, Suite 1000, Durham, NC 27701, in memory of Burritt Benson, Jr.