Benston Franklin Kirkman

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. II Timothy 4:7 (NKJV) With this truth, we said good-bye from this life and acknowledged the eternal presence with God our loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, Benston Franklin Kirkman. Mr. Kirkman crossed to the other side of the river to be with our Lord and Savior on Tuesday night, August 20, 2024. He was born May 15, 1932, in Surry County, the son of the late Arthur Washington and Pearl Gammons Kirkman. Benston served our country in the United States Air Force. After serving in the Air Force, Benston returned home and worked as a skilled brick and block mason for many years and helped build numerous homes around Surry County. (If you are reading this obituary, it may have even been your home.) Mr. Kirkman was a longtime member of Shelton Church of the Brethren, where he came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior and baptized in Rutledge Creek by Brother Marvin Wade. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Keenan Journey of Mount Airy; two granddaughters and their husbands, Breann and Jacob Wyse of Pilot Mountain and Britni and Dustin Rogers of Mount Airy; three great-granddaughters, Kenedi Blaire Rogers, Reece McKinley Wyse, and Presley Shea Wyse; three great-grandsons, Hudson Bracky Rogers, Kenston Wade Rogers, and Wyatt Lane Rogers; a sister, Nina Murphy of Mount Holly; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Kirkman was preceded in death by his wife of more than 50 years, Treva Brown Kirkman; an infant son, Benston Franklin “Benny” Kirkman, Jr.; an infant great-grandson, Tyson Bracky Rogers; two sisters, Dessie Doss and Nettie Kirkman; and four brothers, Gurney Kirkman, Paul Kirkman, Lawrence Simmons, and Burnie Kirkman. The funeral service will be held Friday, August 23, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Buford E. Jessup and Dr. Jonathan Casstevens officiating. Burial will follow at Skyline Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Friday from 9:00 until 10:00 AM at the funeral home. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude for the love, care, and compassion shown by the nurses and staff at Surry Community Health and Rehabilitation Center and the nurses and staff at Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, P.O. Box 325, Dobson, NC 27017; or Surry Community Health and Rehab Center, ATTN: Activities Department, 542 Allred Mill Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030.