Benny Franklin Buggs, age 75, and a longtime resident of Newton, passed away Sunday, May 11, 2025 at Neshoba General Hospital in Philadelphia.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 from 2:30 pm until 3:15 pm at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, with funeral services beginning at 3:30 pm at the same location.

Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Bro. Zach Wright will officiate.

Benny loved his grandchildren dearly, encouraging them academically, and proudly (and loudly) leading cheers at Leake Academy basketball games. He loved his country and Cedar Grove Baptist Church where he prioritized investing in the youth ministry. A self-proclaimed food critic, he developed a following through his Facebook "Eating with Benny" page, and was always on the search, for the best chicken and dumplings and a hamburger steak like BORO'S used to serve. (and if you are in the Meridian area, stop by Mr. Rodgers Hamburgers and ask for the "Benny Burger") Benny retired from MDOT where he worked in an engineering capacity and also spent several years at Joe McGee Construction. He enjoyed a variety of hobbies throughout his life, including carpentry, painting, hunting, fishing, wood burning, golfing, cooking, taxidermy, and coin collecting. Before his death, he proudly completed reading through the Bible and would encourage you all to do the same. He would also ask, "Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?"  as he did to countless people he encountered.

He was preceded in death by his father, L.C. Buggs and his mother, Merle Gibbs Buggs Ryder; maternal grandparents, Lewis and Emma Gibbs and paternal grandparents, Walter and Bernice Buggs.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Connie Faye Massey Buggs of Newton; one daughter, Valeria Michelle Prince (Philip) of Philadelphia; four grandchildren, Miriam Prince, Samuel Prince, Sarah Prince, and Andrew Prince, all of Philadelphia; one sister, Rhonda Buggs Stodard (Darrell) of Tallahassee, FL; one sister-in-law, Sandra Morgan of Philadelphia; two nephews, Waylon Miller of Ackerman and Chance Massey of Bush, LA and several cousins.

Pallbearers will be Levie Weir, David Everrett, Robert Gibbs, Mark Spence, Mike Spence, Stephan Sykes, and Kent Mayes.

Honorary pallbearers will be Rayphord Bounds and Brian Chaney.

Music for the service will be provided by Mark Spence and Tiffany Wright.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Mission Fund or Cemetery Fund, 2548 Cedar Grove Rd. Newton, MS 39345.

Newton County Funeral Home - South is in charge of arrangements.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.newtoncountyfuneralhome.com