Funeral services for Benjamin Ernest Nash, known as "Ben" or "Bennie," 84, of Franklin, Louisiana, formerly of Clarkesville, will be held Friday, May 28, during a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana, with visitation beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the recitation of the rosary at 9:15 a.m. Father Joel Faulk, Pastor of Church of the Assumption in Franklin, will be the Celebrant for the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Serving as pallbearers will be Ray Bonvillain, Gary Bonvillain, Terry Bonvillain, Ricky Bonvillain, Jason Bonvillain, and Devon Bourliea.
Mr. Nash passed away at Franklin Foundation Hospital Sunday, May 23, 2021. He was a resident of Franklin, Louisiana for the past 16 years, Ben was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi and grew up in Clarkesville. He was the son of the late Ernest and Rebecca Miller Nash. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Danny; his sister, Frances; as well as his son-in-law, Lee Doss.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Dale Bonvillain Nash; son, Stephen Nash of Atlanta; daughter, Brenda Nash Doss of Tifton; and two grandchildren, Christina Norton of Peoria, Illinios, and Sydney Doss of Tifton. He is also survived by Page and Devon Bourliea whom he considered as his adopted grandchildren. Other survivors include his sister, Imogene Dickens of South Carolina; and two brothers, Ronnie of Georgia, and Kenny of North Carolina.
Ben was a veteran of the United States Navy. Following his military service, for several years Ben worked as an electronics technician in Greenland at the Early Distance Warning (DEW line) facility set up to warn the United States of any imminent attacks from Russia. He was always so proud of this service.
Ben was employed as an electronics technician at Swainsboro Technical School for many years prior to his retirement as a vocational supervisor for Northeast Georgia RESA. Ben earned his bachelor and master's degrees in vocational education from the University of Georgia in Athens.
While a resident of Franklin, Louisiana, Ben served on the Franklin Historic Commission and on the Techeland Arts Council as treasurer for many years.
Ben was a man of many talents and interests. He was an avid lover of plants and he enjoyed cultivating his own plants from seeds. He was also a pack rat and collected many items for which he always said would come in useful for his many projects. He had various tools for his many endeavors and usually had two of the same tools. It was jokingly stated that the biggest garage sale in Franklin's history would be held after his passing.
Ben was a gregarious individual and he never met a stranger. He was a generous man with a very big heart, and many could attest to his generosity. Ben was a member of the Baldwin Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in Ben's name to the National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, 504-528-1944; https://www.nationalww2museum.org/give.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert's Mortuary, 1007 Main St., Franklin, LA 70538, 337-828-5426, www.iberts.com.