Benita Orr

     Benita Orr, 71, of Lincolnton, NC passed away in her home on January 7th, 2025.

     She was a native of Robbinsville, NC and the daughter of the late Ben P. Orr and Ruth S. Orr. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Tonya Lewis Curtis, grandson, Kyle Garver, brother, Billy Don Trammell and sister, Wanda Sue Hill.

     Benita moved to Lincolnton, NC in 1975 where she raised her three children; Todd, Tonya and Tabatha (Todd and the girls) and built a community of friends.

     Benita, "Gammie" as she was also known, was always there for everyone around her, she gave unselfishly to her family, friends and community. She served others through her love of cooking and insisted her home was clean so that everyone could gather there together. She was a strong, independent woman who loved her family and friends fiercely.  She was also feisty and had a way of always getting her way.

     Her friend, Stephanie, wrote it best: Without one time preaching it, she actively lived out the command of Jesus in John 13:34, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Benita truly followed God’s example giving herself so many times sacrificially for others…. cooking, keeping kids, giving to those in need, taking time to talk to someone who just needed to talk. You never left her house emptyhanded; she sent countless cookies and candy trays to her friends and always gave generously, and God gave back to her overflowing. She was not perfect; she did not always love perfectly; none of us do in these earthly bodies, but over the years I watched her transform and look more and more like our Savior. That is the goal people. She was dying, but she asked every day about others, she never focused on her limitations and her pain. She seldom even mentioned her physical struggles during her 10-year battle with cancer. Benita just loved us. I think she preached her own funeral with the genuine love she showed others. I am going to miss my friend, but I know I will see her again.

     She is survived by her son, Todd Lewis (Kendra), daughter Tabatha Lewis Lloyd; brothers, Wesley Trammell (Elizabeth), Benny Orr (Gaye), Ronnie Burns (Karen), sisters Sandra Myers (Dinky), and Lavada Queen; grandchildren, Taylor, Caitlin, Cameron, Cole, Kade, Abigail, Austin, Cambrie, Kaley, Jaden, Gracie, Kyla; great grandchildren, Adelynn, Wade, Cameron, Harlyn, Weston, and Mackenzie.

     And if you knew Benita once you were in her family and you were always family. In addition, she is survived by her sons-in-law, Jerry Curtis, Todd Garver, Douglas Lloyd; daughter in law, Michelle Anthony; and special friends, Stephanie Morris, Alice Hamilton, Lale Ari and Melinda Finger, who all became family over the years.

    Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Lone Oak Baptist Church.  Burial will follow the service at Lone Oak Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 till 1:00 pm at the church prior to the service.

     Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Orr Family.