Benjamin Moses Essex

Benjamin Moses Essex was born on November 19, 1929, in Quitman, Georgia to the union of the late William Ezekiel and Bessie (Adams) Essex. He was the thirteenth child of 13 children. Nine sisters and three brothers preceded him in death.

After graduating from Brooks High School, Benjamin moved to Detroit, Michigan where he landed a job at Chrysler Corporation and retired after thirty years of service. Benjamin met his former wife in Detroit, Rita (Smith) Essex. Three children were from this union, Dana, Vanita, and Julie.

In his early years, Benjamin was a member of ST. Johns CME Church in Detroit, Michigan.

Later in life he joined union with former wife, Geneva (Thornton) Essex (deceased) and her two children, and granddaughter.

Affectionately known as Baby Brother or Ben by family and Old Man Rivers later in life by close friends. Jazz was his favorite music genre. He could tell you all about the jazz greats and how he had seen many of them in concert at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge. He loved to dance. In his younger years, Ben and Rita won a dancing contest. Sports was another thing he greatly enjoyed. Watching football games, be it college football or NFL, he was a true sports fan. Going fishing in Michigan was an activity he enjoyed too. When the topic came up about gardening, he could tell you a thing or two about how to grow a variety of vegetables.

In 2019, he moved to Texas to be closer to his children for support. Benjamin passed at the age of 94 on January 20, 2024, at Silver Leaf Assisted Living & Memory Care in Plano, Texas.

Benjamin leaves to mourn his passing and cherish their memories: one son, Dana Essex, Sr of Atlanta, Georgia; two daughters, Vanita (Edward) Cooper of Houston, Texas, and Julie (Geoffrey) Webster of North Richland Hills, Texas; twelve grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of other family members and friends.