Benjamin Wayne Necessary, 60, passed away Jan. 1, 2017, at his home surrounded by his family. After being in the hospital, he was brought home under hospice care after suffering from liver disease for the last six months.

He was retired from VDOT after 36 years of service. He had been the VDOT superintendent for Southampton County.  He was a 1975 graduate of Windsor High School and was a member of the NSSA from 1993 to 2004. Known to everyone as Benny or Ben Necessary, he was a very loved and respected man by his family and friends. Benny was born July 15, 1956.

He leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Sheila Britt Necessary; his daughters, Joni Necessary Edwards and husband, Jonathan Edwards, and Lisa Necessary; five grandchildren, Makayla, Eliza, Avery, Adilyn and Kyson; his brother, Larry Olin Necessary and wife, Virginia Necessary; his sister, Debra Necessary Joyner and husband, Bruce Joyner; stepbrother, Kenneth Holland; nephews, nieces, cousins and one very special aunt, Alma Ruth Reasor, and his best friend, Volpe Boykin.

He was predeceased by his father, Olin Necessary, mother, Joanne Hartsock Necessary, and stepmother, Dorothy Necessary.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Rev. Curtis Faison officiating. The family friends will receive friends at the residence and suggests that memorial donations be made to Tucker Swamp Baptist Church, 37527 Seacock Chapel Road, Zuni, VA 23898. www.wrightfuneralhome.org