Steven Earl Benson

Steven Earl Benson, a key contributor to the Tennessee Tribune from its inception, passed last weekend at 70. He was born January 1, 1956 to Paul G. Benson and Dorothy (Lynem) Benson. Steven was the third of their four sons. He attended elementary school at IPS 24, junior high school at IPS 17, and graduated from Northwest high school in 1974. He was active in several sports in high school, including wrestling and football, and also worked at UPS and Methodist hospital as a parking garage attendant while a student.

Upon graduation, he attended Western Kentucky University where he majored in photojournalism and received a bachelor of arts degree. He was privileged to spend a year interning in Buffalo, New York. After his internship, he was hired at Nashville, Tennessee's WTVF- NewsChannel 5. While in Tennessee, he met the love of his life Wanda Sawyers.

"He was an indispensable part of the Tribune family and a key contributor to its success," Mrs. Rosetta Miller-Perry, Tribune editor/publisher, said in tribute. "He was involved in every aspect of the paper; advertising, promotions, editorial. His loss is enormous. We miss him terribly and will miss him each and every day. It's impossible to think about where the paper would be had he not been so involved, and such a key contributor. His passing is a blow not just to the Tribune, but community journalism and the Black press as a whole."

Steven is survived by his Wife, Wanda Benson; Children, Brandon Sawyers, Erin Finley (Gabe Marrow), and Connor Benson; Grandchildren, Layla Marrow and Ayden Marrow); Brothers, Tony Benson (Tess), Philipp Benson (Misha); sister in law, Doretha Benson ( Michael); brother in laws; William Millers, Lawrence Lenoir (Heidi); sister in law, Victoria Deberry (Dr. John DeBerry) a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and family members and a loving mother in law, Rosetta Miller Perry.