City of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County Honor Leroy and Fosteen Benton

City of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County Honor Leroy and Fosteen Benton for Six Decades of Community Leadership and Legacy

Proclamations, Plaque Presentation, Honorary Street Naming, Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony & Celebration Dinner

Winston-Salem, NC - December 2025 - The City of Winston-Salem and the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners proudly unite to celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy and Fosteen Benton, honoring nearly six decades of service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the Monticello Park Neighborhood. Through Proclamations signed by Mayor J. Allen Joines, a distinguished Plaque Presentation, an Honorary Street Naming, and a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, the Bentons will be formally recognized for the immeasurable impact they have had on generations of families across Winston-Salem.

I. Forsyth County Plaque Presentation

Thursday, December 18, 2025 • 6:00 PM

Forsyth County Board of Commissioners Boardroom
201 N Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC

The celebration begins with a formal Plaque Presentation from the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner Tonya D. McDaniel will present the plaque, honoring the Bentons for their leadership, their compassion for neighbors, their support of youth and seniors, and their deep-rooted legacy of service that has strengthened the Monticello Park community for nearly six decades.

**II. “Leroy and Fosteen Benton Day”

Honorary Street Naming & Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony**

Sunday, December 21, 2025 • 2:00 PM

Glen Oak Drive • Monticello Park Neighborhood
Winston-Salem, NC 27105

The City of Winston-Salem will officially proclaim “Leroy and Fosteen Benton Day” through a community-wide ceremony celebrating the Bentons’ extraordinary contributions since 1967.

Presentation of the Proclamation & Honorary Street Naming

Presented By:
Northeast Ward Council Member Barbara Hanes Burke

Council Member Burke will deliver the Official Proclamation signed by Mayor J. Allen Joines and unveil the honorary street sign that will forever commemorate the Bentons’ legacy on Glen Oak Drive.

Greetings During the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Delivered By:
Forsyth County Commissioner Dan Besse

Commissioner Besse will extend greetings on behalf of the County, honoring the Bentons’ devotion to community connection, neighborhood pride, and service to others.

III. Celebration Dinner Immediately Following the Ceremony

Sunday, December 21, 2025 • 3:30 PM

Taste of the Triad
4320 Old Walkertown Road
Winston-Salem, NC

A special Celebration Dinner will be held following the ribbon-cutting to continue honoring the Bentons’ remarkable legacy.

Attire: All Black with Accents of Red
Family, friends, neighbors, and community partners are invited to join this southern cuisine tribute meal as we uplift the love, leadership, and lasting contributions of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy and Fosteen Benton.

A Legacy Rooted in Service

For nearly 60 years, the Bentons have embodied the spirit of community through acts of kindness, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and stewardship. Their home became a place of refuge, learning, and hospitality. Their impact includes:

• Married 66 Years, Together for 71 Years, Lived in Monticello Park Neighborhood for 67 Years: Pillars
• Providing home repairs, handyman assistance, and automotive life-skills training to local youth
• Offering meals, support, and care to seniors and the sick
• Leading neighborhood traditions such as annual Christmas front-yard candles
• Earning multiple City of Winston-Salem Beautification Awards for community pride and excellence
• Supporting local youth programs, faith-based initiatives, Parks & Recreation, and YMCA activities
• Upholding a multi-generation entrepreneurial legacy that strengthened the local economy

Their influence transformed Glen Oak Drive into a model of unity, pride, and connected community living.

Public Invitation

The community is warmly invited to participate in the ceremonies and the celebration dinner as we collectively honor and uplift the enduring legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy and Fosteen Benton.

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Host or Publisher Dr. Valerie Benton Smith