Reverend Johnny Benjamin peacefully went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 31, 2023.

He was the seventh child born, on October 5, 1947, to the late Charlie Benjamin, Sr. and Viola Benjamin Riley in South Carolina. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, seven brothers (Charles "Sonny", Isaiah, Archie, Ernest, Daniel, Matthew, and Charlie Benjamin, Jr.) and two sisters (Mary Louise Benjamin Stephens and Hattie Benjamin Jones).

He was raised and educated in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He gave his life to Christ at the early age of seven at Zion Methodist Church in South Carolina. He moved to Richmond, Virginia with his family in 1968 and later joined the Woodville Presbyterian Church in Richmond under the leadership of Pastor Nathan Dell, where he was a faithful member for many years and served in the choir.

Reverend Benjamin met the love of his life in 1979 and married the former Jewel Howard on June 19, 1981. Together they have adopted and raised 9 children from a young age and have been foster parents to many other children through the years.

Reverend Benjamin grew up in a house of singers and for 18 years sang with the gospel group The Rock of Ages, where three of the members were his brothers. The group later became known as The Benjamin Brothers. Later he founded, formed, and managed several other gospel groups, including the Richmond Spirituals, Traveleers Gospel Singers and the New Traveleers. He sang with these groups for over 30 years until his health began to decline.

Reverend Benjamin felt a calling on his life to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was ordained as a minister on July 30, 2000, under the leadership of Bishop Wilbert Farmer at The Way Truth & Life Temple of God in Christ in Richmond. With God's help and guidance, he started the Temple of God in Christ Christian Church in Richmond on February 15, 2004, and served as Pastor for 12 years. From 2005- 2015 you could hear him share the Word of God on WCLM 1450 on Saturday Mornings. On May 15, 2016, he joined his wife's home church, First Union Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, Virginia where he served faithfully. Even when his health began to decline, he faithfully joined the Sunday services streaming live every Sunday and the prayer line on Mondays and Thursdays always ready to pray for others.

On any given day, Reverend Benjamin could be found plucking on the strings of his guitar or playing the keys on his keyboard, singing the Word of God. He had a love for dogs. His favorite was Brownie, a chihuahua who did not stray far from his bedside. He loved fishing, old westerns and was a diehard Pittsburgh Steelers fan.  His favorite saying when saying goodbye to someone was "Don't take no wooden nickels".

He leaves to cherish his precious memory his wife of 42 years, Jewel H. Benjamin; two daughters, Latasha Austin (James) and Michelle Benjamin; seven sons, Kar Benjamin (Shateeka), John Benjamin, Cecil Jackson, Bilal Benjamin, Zaire Benjamin, Elijah Benjamin and DeAndre Benjamin; seven grandchildren, Iyanna Benjamin, Saije Grady, Sade' Benjamin, Kori Benjamin, Carter Benjamin, Josiah Benjamin, and Zariah Jade Martinez; two bonus grandchildren, Shadaria Latney (Steven) and Suirad Ware; six sisters-in-law, Maebell Benjamin, Carolyn Benjamin, Phyllis Brooks (Junious), Edith Taylor (George), Carolyn Hopson, Jacquelin Lee (Robert); one brother-in-law, Jesse Howard (Lisa); a devoted niece, Tanya Scott,  a devoted cousin, Bryant Caldwell, and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Johnny and Jewel fostered several children who loved them dearly and were grateful to have them in their lives. Those they continue to have contact with include Travis Dantzler, Desmond Ford, Jonathan Ford, Asia Hobson Jackson, and Akeem Robinson.