Page 9 - The Fayetteville Press Newspaper August 2026 Edition

The Fayetteville Press August 28, 2026 Edition Page 9a

OBITUARARYY
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OBITUARY
OBITU
OBITUARARYY
PAAGEGE
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PAAGEGE

Chief Warrant Officer III (CW3) Due to his membership and being the only male, the name was changed to
Benjimen Washington was born in Mobile, the Auxiliary of the NPhA. Benjimen became the first President of the new
Alabama to Benjimen Washington of Chatom, Auxiliary of the NPhA.
Alabama and Northie Lee Grissett of Ben did not rest during his retirement. He took the opportunity to get
Georgiana, Alabama. He had the following a degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College in Real Estate. He
siblings: Bessie Mae, Joseph, George, Arthur utilized this knowledge to manage properties and “flip” properties before it
James, JW, Roosevelt, Essie, and Jimmy. became popular. Ben, as he was an avid learner, returned to school for an
Benjimen and his siblings’ childhood was associate’s degree in culinary arts from Fayetteville Technical Community
shaped by Ms. Annie Bell Foster after his College (FTCC). He used the knowledge gained to open his lifelong dream of
mother’s early death and Guerry Washing- a restaurant- Chief’s Corner Café. He moved and renamed the restaurant
ton, affectionately called Uncle Fess to keep several times, Chief’s Café and lastly Chief’s 25 Plus. For a period of over two
the children on the educational pathway. The decades, he provided entertainment and dining at his club and restaurant
family attended Nazarene Baptist Church in venues. Chief’s brand was well-known and respected within the community
Orange Grove, Alabama. before and even long after closing. Ben was an active and life member of
Benjimen left Mobile, Alabama at an several different organizations: The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post
early age and traveled across the country and 6018, The American Legion, and The Retired Military Association (RMA)
ended up in Florida. Fayetteville Chapter. He spent his retirement serving the local community in
While in Florida, he enlisted in the his organizations and focusing on places for retirees to congregate and
Army. He served multiple tours in Vietnam fellowship. One could find him rotating between all three locations daily. Ben
and a tour in Panama. He was also stationed enjoyed traveling with his wife across the country to national monuments/
in Korea. He was a paratrooper in the 82 nd parks, and historical sites; Death Valley, Redwood Forest, Crazy Horse,
Airborne Division. He honorably served his Yellowstone, etc., Presidential Libraries, and Boeing. He enjoyed traveling
country in the United States Army for over 23 with his family locally and internationally. Recently, he cruised to Europe and
years. went fishing in Alaska. He was known to have a love for casinos and his
While in Florida, he met his first wife, favorite pastime of pinochle.
Lillian Townsend of Leesburg, Florida. From Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Benjimen and Northie Lee;
his first marriage to Lillian Washington, he siblings: Bessie, JW, Jimmy, Joseph, and George. He is survived by his wife:
had a son Benjimen Washington III. Al- Christina; children Benjimen (Dione) Washington, III, Ismail Abdul-Aziz, and
though the marriage ended, the two remained Dr. Leidee Karenna (Russell) Senors-Manning; seven grandchildren: Aisha,
in contact for the remainder of their lives. Saudah, Khadijah, Fatimah, Mecca, Kalimah, and Muhammad Abdul-Aziz;
In 1987, he was on a work trip to the ten great-grandchildren: Jada Murray, Davion Latham, Rhyland Hunter,
Pentagon in Washington, DC. During this trip, Khayden Grant, Dontae Ford Jr., Karmichael Carr, London Castleberry, Ahkeem
he met Christina Hampton of Cincinnati, Ohio. Castleberry, Antwan Castleberry, and Zurielle Lokko; siblings: Arthur James
After a whirlwind courtship, they married on (Annie) Washington, Essie (Bobby) Dees, and Roosevelt (Judy) Washing-
his last active-duty day in 1988. The two had ton; sister-in-law: Cathleen Cooper; sisters-of-the-heart: Ester Cosby and
celebrated over 37 years of marriage. From Linda Fox; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
his second marriage to Christina, he gained a Reverend Dr. Mycal Brickhouse, Pastor/Eulogist
daughter, Leidee Karenna Senors-Manning
and a son, Ismail Abdul-Aziz. Services of Love to the Family Entrusted to:
Benjimen took his knowledge and lead- WISEMAN MORTUARY, INC.
ership abilities outside of Fayetteville, North 431 Cumberland Street
Carolina. The week after marrying Christina,
he joined the “Women’s” Auxiliary of the Fayetteville, North carolina 28301
National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA). (910) 483-7111

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(910) 483-7111 Obituaries May & June 2026
Complete Insurance Protection www.metropolitancrematorium.com Jonathan Pierce Loretta McKnight
Over 45 Years Of Experience & Services Maureen Lovings Wanda Fisher
Louis Baker
James Mitchell, Sr.
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Elizabeth Tamakloe Theresa Rodriquez
Keith McDonald Ruth Smith
James Sharperson Johnnie White
Cunningham Mortuary & Medema Thomas David Williams
Mikquel Hill Chanda Cooper
Cremations, Inc Dennis Mallard Sherry Morrison
Deloris Smith
Angela MaGruder
David Council Austin Eubank
3809 Raeford Road * Fayetteville, NC 28304 Ronald Clayton Eula Simmons
Phone: (910) 433-2616 * Fax (910) 485-4059 Jerry Generette Etrice Graham
Jonathan Jordan
Willie Welch
Ardell Morrisey John Raeford
Matt Harris Joe Womack
Catherine Maynor Gwendolyn McNeill
Iris Middleton Lonnie Jackson
Dorothy Washington Johanna Yates
Leslie Mckoy Kent Patton Sr
JoAnn Patton Allene Grant
Joyce Jones Mattie Eakins
Robin Counts Brenda Long
Josephine Robinson Darrin Pratt
Curtis Lindsay Kent Fisher
Mary Lewis Richard Autry
Donald Earl Charles Stewart
Joel Brown Lamont Riggins
Gail Bundrick Claude Charles
Family and Veteran Owned Carolyn Dixon Mildred D’Eliseo
Charles Castrell
Barbel Malen
and Operated Toshia Moore Jermaine Abdul Bean
Martha Gill
Laniyah Whitted
“Professional Caring Services” Donnales Skaggs Estell McKenzie
Clarence Mobley, Sr.
Deborah Fannin
Benjamin “Chief” Washington Robin Counts
Annie Fitch Curtis Lindsey
Traditional & Memorial Services Leslie McKoy ,Jr. Mary Lewis
Military Honors LeeRoy Roundtree Brenda Smith
Julia Stocks
Joan Newell
Jerry Williams Cora Holloway
David Smith David Smith
Cremations * Monuments * Pre Arrangements! Cora Holloway Jerry Williams
Bertha Smith
Connie Monroe
Crematory on the premise Rhaygann Schell Terry McNeill
Gene Hemingway
Timothy McMillan
Large Chapel 300 seating Chantel Jefferson Shaunda todd
Live Streaming Tonya Edwards Rhaygann Schell
Sian Smith
Thomas Page
Karin Bowden Francine Smith
www.cunninghamandsonsnc.com
csonsmortuary@gmail.com