Bennie McPherson

Mr. Bennie McPherson, Sr. was born on January 22, 1937 in Ada, Alabama to the late Jim McPherson, Jr., and Katie Mae Poole McPherson.
Bennie or “Big Ben” as he was affectionately and sometimes fearfully called, graduated from Dunbar High School in Ramer, Alabama. He relocated north to Cincinnati in 1955, where he worked and enjoyed living for the last 65 years. Bennie was employed by major construction companies, including Kokosing for many years. He retired in 1999, after helping to build many of the highways and malls that you now see in the Greater Cincinnati Area. Big Ben loved going to Blue Ash YMCA five days a week to swim, to exercise and to fraternize with the guys.
Throughout his formative years he attended Friendship Baptist Church and was baptized in Flowers Lake in Ada, Alabama. In Cincinnati, Bennie attended New Unity Baptist Church and First Baptist of Kennedy Heights. Upon passing, he was an active and faithful member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Silverton, OH with Rev. Dr. Charles Williams as Sr. Pastor.
In over sixty years of membership and service in the Prince Hall Family, Brother Big Ben was a Past Master of Kenton Lodge No. 16, Covington, Ky; Past District Deputy Grand Master for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Honorary Grand Master for the State of Kentucky; Past Worthy Patron and Associate Patron of Kenton Chapter No. 40, Order of Eastern Stars; Past Eminent Commander for No.7; Member of RAM No 5, (York Rite). GIG (33rd) Scottish Rite and Past in Chief of Hiram Consistory No. 123; Past Potentate of Aleikum No. 96 and Past Deputy of the Oasis of Covington; Past Imperial Deputy of Kentucky; and Honorary Past Imperial Potentate in the Prince Hall Shriners. Bennie was a Charter Member of The African American History Museum, and retired member of Local No. 18 Operating Engineers.
As a young man, he claimed to have been “a pretty good softball player.” Bennie loved life, his kin, and his acquaintances. His favorite pass times were: Spending days at “Milton’s Auto”; Hanging with his Grandson/Buddy, Nate the Skate; watching the Bearcats, the Bengals, and the Reds, and taking road trips down south with any one of his brothers, son, nephews, or his niece, as his driver. At an earlier age, he enjoyed cruising on his Harley and/or his Buick of choice. Later in life, you would find him in his little get away Chevy Cavalier or his Ford F-150 trucks. Let us not forget his “animated discussions” with his loving wife, Connie!
After sharing him with us for 83+ years, the Good Lord saw fit to call him home on December 11, 2020 with his loving family by his side.
Bennie was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Marie McCain; Jim/Joe; David; Daisy (Charles) Lawrence; Alphonso; and Ezekiel.
He is survived by his Wife of 37 years, Marion “Connie”; his Son, Bennie Jr. (Jolene), Daughter, Valerie Calhoun, Grandchildren: Brian (Tara) and Brandon McPherson, Mia and Nathaniel Calhoun, Great Grandchildren, Briana, and Elijah McPherson. Siblings: Lillie Thomas; Milton, Mary Helen; Brenda (Marvin deceased) Gamble; Billy (Sandra), Will (Veronica deceased), Wilma, Linda (Shelly) Jesse; and, Sister-in-law, Jacqueline McPherson. Additionally, his memory will be cherished by a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Big Ben will be missed by all of us. This man absolutely loved his wife, family, friends, and The Lord. Most people say, “I Love You,” but not him; Bennie demonstrated his love through his actions.

If you desire, donations may be made in memory of Bennie
To the Building Fund of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church
6850 Plainfield Road, Silverton, OH 45236