Erma Charles (Lansing)

Erma Jean Charles passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, in Holt, Michigan. Age 71 years. She was born on July 12, 1951, in Frenchman Bayou, Arkansas to Preston and Erma Lee Foreman. She was the fifth eldest of eight children. She confessed her faith in Jesus Christ at an early age at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Burdett, Arkansas under the leadership of the late Rev. Harvey Preston. Later, she became a member of Reachout Christian Center Church under the leadership of Pastor David Foreman.

Erma, lovingly referred to as, “Black Jean” by many of her friends and loved ones, attended Carver High School in Luxora, Arkansas. She relocated to Florida and later moved to Lansing, Michigan.

She was married to Thomas Benson and was a mother to seven children. Erma loved working and being busy. She had many talents, she enjoyed singing in the choir, beginning at a very young age. She had a heart for cleaning to precision and enjoyed decorating and cooking.

She worked at Delta Dental in East Lansing, Michigan for many years. Her passing has left a void that only God and time can heal. Her love and memory will always be in our hearts.

Erma leaves to cherish her memory five children, Anthony Benson of Oxnard, California, Margie Vanessa Taylor of Seattle, Washington, Ramon Benson, Darnell (Honey Marie) Benson, André (Marquetta) Benson, all of Lansing, Michigan; six siblings, Andrew (Peggy) Flint of Memphis, Tennessee, David (Annie) Foreman, Willie Mack (MaryAnn) Foreman, Roosevelt Foreman, Luella Pierce, and Ruby (Edward) Brown, all of Lansing, Michigan; twenty-three grandchildren; thirty great grandchildren; a very special niece, Felineece Foreman, who shared an unconditional love and bond with her Aunt Jean and dedicated many years of support and ease for her; three honorary sisters, Ola Mae Hudson, Monda Morris, and Brenda Rinkins; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and the entire Reachout family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Preston and Erma Lee Foreman; two sons, Tyrone L. Benson and Alvin L. Benson; two brothers, Preston Foreman Jr. and Albert Preston Foreman.

“The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want” (Psalms 23:11)