Ralph Benton Hight, Jr.

Ralph Benton Hight, Jr. of Oxford died Friday, November 18, 2022. Benton was born in Vance County on August 15, 1953 to the late Ralph Benton Hight, Sr. and Jeannette Marie Robertson Hight. Graduating from Henderson High School in 1971, he went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. A stellar example of a true southern gentleman, Benton was also a Tarheel born and bred. He loved Carolina when they won, and he loved Carolina when they lost. The term ‘fair weather fan’ could never be used to describe him. After graduation from UNC Benton exhibited his extraordinary grasp of all things ‘numeric’ by passing the Certified Public Accountant exam on the first attempt. He began his career as a CPA at W.H. Philips and Company in Henderson. From there, he and his wife, Mary Nell… seeing the need for entertainment for the citizens of Vance, Granville and surrounding counties…opened and operated The Skateeum and Carolina Lanes in Henderson. These businesses provided thousands of hours of entertainment for children, teens and adults through the years. They served their home counties with pride and hard work. Having always kept his CPA license up to date – although working outside the field of public accounting – allowed Benton to return to the tax world for a final season. Working at Winston, Williams, Creech and Evans gave him the opportunity to wrap up his career the way he began – he completed the circle. Benton leaves behind to cherish his sweet memory his wife, Martha Shotwell Hight; his daughter, Mary Royall Hight and husband Ryan Critoria of Raleigh; sister, Ellen Clapp and husband Don Clapp of Raleigh; brother, Wesley Lee Hight of Henderson; two nephews, Wesley Hight of Philadelphia, PA and Branson Hight of Henderson; six stepchildren, Heather, Kelly, Jeb, Scott, Jake and Ali and 11 step-grandchildren; and cousins and friends too numerous to count. Along with his parents, Benton was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Nell Breedlove Hight. A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 27, 2022 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of J.M. White Funeral Home by Rev. Chris Aho. Visitation will be at all times at the home at 7101 Dexter Road. Following the service, visitation will be held at the home of Wesley Lee Hight at 70 Hillside Way, Henderson and at 7101 Dexter Road. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that you make a contribution to the charity of your choice.