Benny Vines

Benny was preceded in death by his father, Andrew Gurley Vines, and his mother, Texas Taylor Vines. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Anita Reed Vines; his son, Jeremy Benton Vines (Karen); his daughter, Jessica Brooke Vines-Holt (Collin); and his son, Nathan Reed Vines. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Milani Jasmine Vines, Ariella Eden Holt, and Isaac Kingston Vines; his brother, Daniel Gurley Vines (Natalia); his sisters, Andrea Vines Hawkins and Vicky Vines Jones; as well as many nieces and nephews. He attended Church of the Highlands.

Benny was born on May 21, 1954, and grew up in Hueytown, Alabama.

Benny grew up a wild spirit, and at the age of 16, he decided to hitchhike to the state of California on two separate occasions. At 17, he enlisted in the Army and earned his high school diploma. He turned 18 while stationed in South Korea, where he served as an assistant drill sergeant, oversaw missile defense systems, and managed weapons inventory control.

After completing his military service, he met the love of his life, Anita. After five months of dating, they eloped (much to the dismay of her parents). After ten years of marriage, they were blessed with three beautiful children. They built their home in Vestavia Hills and moved there in 1989, where they lived for 35 years while raising their children.

Benny worked in the steel industry for 50 years and was well-respected for his knowledge and expertise in hollow structural steel. He was employed at Chatham Steel Corporation as their HSS product specialist at the time of his passing. He loved his work and the people he worked with.

He enjoyed spending time in the Smoky Mountains with his wife and family and took pride in owning and managing his own vacation rental properties, Twig & Vine and Leaf & Vine Lodges, in Gatlinburg, TN.

Benny's children particularly enjoyed his quirky sense of humor, his jokes, and his storytelling. He was a wonderful husband to Anita, a doting father to his children, and a loving grandfather to his grandchildren. He will forever be loved and cherished. He was truly one of a kind.

A vistation honoring the life of Benny will be held Monday, November 18, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL, followed by a memorial service at 4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation. https://reedgifoundation.com