Eleanor Marie Benn, 75 of Charlotte, passed away on July 8, 2019 at Novant Presbyterian. She was born on November 7, 1943 to the late Sylvia Lee Bryant and James Newby in New Bern, NC and was the eldest of seven siblings.  It was there in New Bern that she received her spiritual foundation at First Missionary Baptist Church, and education though the Craven County School System.  She was a proud graduate of J. T. Barber High School class of 1962.

After high school Eleanor took leap of faith and relocated to Charlotte, NC where she attended Central Piedmont Community College to study nursing.  On September 10, 1972, Eleanor graduated top of her class with a diploma in Practical Nursing.  Her nursing career began as she was one of the first African American nurses to integrate Presbyterian Hospital where she remembers having to enter through the hospital back doors.  Her love for nursing and caring for her patients was evident.  She would go out of her way to make her patients feel at home while under her care.  When Eleanor was away from work you could find her on the tennis court or shopping the fine department stores in uptown Charlotte.  Eleanor's professional career and social environment led her to be featured in Ebony magazine as one of the most independent and educated "Bachelorettes of 1977."  During this era of her life Eleanor lived some of her proudest moments.

Eleanor was always a woman of faith and loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  She was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church  and Macedonia Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. where she served in several capacities.  She was loyal to her church family and had a special love for her own family.  She was the life of the party when her family gathered and enjoyed entertaining friends and family at her residence.  Often times she would host sports watch parties.  Eleanor was a sports fanatic.  She followed all sports, but mostly enjoyed watching basketball, football and tennis, and was a faithful supporter of the 1988 Charlotte Hornets.

In the late 1990's Eleanor retired from nursing but her compassionate spirit and love of caring for others led her to a second career as a private duty nurse.  She cared for patients across Charlotte and remained the "family nurse" for her loved ones, caring for them like only she could.

Eleanor will be remembered for her kindness, thoughtfulness and great sense of humor.  She was a devoted sister, friend and aunt.  Her joyful spirit permeated any room she entered.  For many generations to come her family will continue to be blessed by her legacy of love, peace and faith.  She will be missed dearly and leaves behind many to cherish her memory.

In addition to her mother and father Eleanor is preceded in death by her brothers, Bruce and Michael Newby; sisters, Dorothy Berry, Joyce Bryant.  She leaves to cherish her memories her brothers, James Bryant of Charlotte, NC; and her sisters, Debbie Davis (Ronald) of Hanover, MD, Delores Hatley (Dwayne) of Charlotte, NC; nieces, Deddra Clark (Thomas) of Pflugerville, TX; Shenetta Thompson (William) of Waxhaw, NC,  Turkessa Hadley (Leonard), Demetria Bryant, Raechelle Petteway of Charlotte, NC, Ronisha Blackstone (Garrett) of Glen Burnie, MD, Shanika Newby of New Bern, NC; nephews, Bryan Davis of Glen Burnie, MD, Deandre Newby of Greenville, NC, a host of great nieces and nephews and special loved ones Dorphelia and Wilbert Foster and De'Metris and Charlene Benn.