Bennie Lee Marshall

Bennie was born outside of Ruleville, MS, on July 20, 1942, to Ben Marshall and Matilda (Lady) Jones Marshall. He was the youngest of two children from this union and the youngest of Matilda's four children.

When Bennie was a small child, the family moved to Greenville, MS. Their first house was on E. Gloster St. directly across from the steps of Sacred Heart Church. At Sacred Heart Church and School, Bennie was baptized and introduced to Christ and the Catholic faith. Bennie was a good student in school and excelled in math. In high school he played a number of sports, but was a standout swimmer and track athlete. It was after his freshman year that Bennie decided to transfer to Hadley Technical HS in St. Louis, so he could live with his older brother, Beau Hadley, and be near his sister, Rosie Jones. He did well in school in St. Louis and continued to compete in swimming. But his fondest memories of St. Louis was spending time with the numerous family members there and of his brother teaching him to drive. After two years in MO, the self-professed momma's boy became homesick and returned to Greenville to graduate from Coleman HS in 1960. Among his accomplishments that year was holding the state record for the high jump, 6ft, and earning an academic scholarship to Jackson State Univ.

At Jackson State Bennie majored in mathematics. He often recalled that he arrived on campus with a cardboard suitcase and five dollars (all the money his family had) in his pocket. He remembered feeling very fortunate and well off when he arrived. The child of sharecroppers and domesticated laborers, his parents had given him great family values and a great work ethic as well. In addition to his studies, he also tutored other students. He could read something briefly and then tutor someone on almost any subject. It was also here where he met the former Lucinda Williams during their sophomore year. According to her, a friend group of girls decided and coordinated their dating. Apparently they felt they had to do it because he wasn't smart enough or brave enough to approach her. They may have been on to something. They dated the remainder of their time at school, until graduation in 1964.

After graduation, they were separated while he went to St. Louis to work for NASA and she went to Chicago to live with her father. After a year's separation, they reunited in St. Louis and were married Jan. 31, 1966. One year to the day later, they had their first son, Derek. The young family would travel to Purdue for a year while Bennie got a Masters Degree in Mathematics. They then returned to St.Louis in 1969 where he continued secret map projects for NASA. In 1970 he began a two year MBA program at Washington Univ, concentrating on Finance. It is this degree that led to a job offer with Delta Foundation in Greenville, MS.

Delta Foundation allowed Bennie to return home while working to promote small business growth in the Delta. One of his many success stories was the Delta Blues Festival in Greenville. He played an integral part in its beginning. In Greenvile, the family also grew with the birth of a second son, Kenneth, in 1972, and Stephen, in 1978. After 10 years of family life, working, hunting, fishing, and water skiing in the Delta, Bennie moved the family to Germantown, TN, so he could work for TN Valley Center in Memphis.

TVC had a mission of small business growth in the Mid-South. After a few years, Bennie decided to pursue his own business ventures. In 1984 he originally considered McDonalds, but went with Burger King as they allowed him to remain in Memphis with immediate opportunities. He created DKS Enterprises (named for his sons) and began a long career as an entrepreneur in the Memphis community. His first store was the Burger King on Elvis Presley Blvd. Over the last 35 years his business commitments led him to own 4 Burger Kings in Memphis, the Budweiser Brewhouse at the Memphis Airport, and a number of other investments in the local and regional area. Most important to Bennie was his employees, their families and their communities. He spent countless hours at work, side by side with his employees, getting the work done. He truly enjoyed the challenge of the work. He also provided countless scholarships and support to his employees that pursued higher education. He served as a mentor and proof that education and hard work paid off. He also served on numerous committees and boards to help influence, change, and promote positive outcomes in the Memphis community. He truly cared about others and tried to help as many people as he possibly could.

While he had many accomplishments over the years, none were more important to Bennie than the successes of his family. Watching his sons grow and move forward with their own educations and lives was important to him and Lucinda. While his sons all helped DKS Enterprises at different times, it was the family's personal accomplishments that were most rewarding. From family trips, to growing families and being a grandfather, it was these things that made Bennie, a sharecropper's and maid's son, most proud.

Bennie was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Beau Hadley, Rosie Jones, and Maxine Marshall. He is survived by his wife Lucinda Marshall; his children Derek (Lori), Kenneth, and Stephen (Lashawn); grandchildren Jessica Marshall, Derek Marshall Jr., Kennedy Marshall and William Marshall; as well as a host of sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and other family.

A memorial service is planned for Thurs, Dec. 29, with visitation from 5-6pm and service from 6-7pm at Memphis Funeral Home 5599 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN, 38119. On Fri, Dec. 30, there will be a funeral mass at Sacred Heart Church on 560 E. Gloster St., Greenville, MS, 38701. There will be a brief visitation from 10:30- 11, followed by mass at 11:00. Burial will be at Lakewood Cemetery, 821 Pickett St., Greenville, MS, 38701.

People wishing to send flowers may send to Memphis Funeral Home.