Ben Alton Belk Obituary      9/25/1928 – 06/11/2023

Ben Belk went to his Heavenly home Sunday, June 11, 2023.  He was born in Belcher, Louisiana to Sallie and Zack Belk, September 25, 1928, being welcomed by his older brother, Joe.  They lived and worked together as a family on their farm in Belcher until Joe left to go into military service and Ben left to go to college at age 16.  Ben attended and graduated from Northwestern State University with a bachelor's degree in accounting.  While at Northwestern, he was a member of the swim team being attributed with world-class speed in his swimming competitions.  After graduation, Ben accepted a job at SWEPCO as an internal auditor.  41 years later at retirement, he ended his career with SWEPCO as the head auditor of the company.  He met and married the love of his life, Lillian Needham in 1951.  They shared life together for 59 ½ years until her death in July 2011.  They raised three children: Margie, Steve, and Peggy.

Ben loved the Lord and he and Lillian served the Lord as members of First Baptist Church of Shreveport.  Ben was a member of the Louisiana National Guard for many years and was an excellent marksman.  He enjoyed participating in Toastmasters and the Institute of Internal Auditors where for many years he served in leadership in both organizations.  Ben greatly enjoyed his vegetable gardening at the family farm in Belcher.  At this farm, each year around Father's Day, the favorite family event was a potato dig, but mostly making great memories.  He took great pleasure in enjoying God's nature and the lessons provided. Ben often held conversations with family members to provide the bigger picture of life. He practiced the advice once given to him, 'Encouragement is the best medicine.'  He was always offering a word of encouragement and trying to set someone up for success.  Since his parents were both educators, he had great respect for getting an education and helped many achieve that goal through the years.  In the later stages of life, he was fiercely independent and focused on perfecting his cooking skills, holding many conversations towards that goal.

Ben is proceeded in death by his parents, Sallie and Zack Belk; his brother, Joe Belk; his wife, Lillian Pearl Needham Belk; his son, Steven Roy Belk; his daughter, Margie Belk Anderson; his granddaughter, Kristin Belk; his grandson, Drew Small; his sister-in-law, Janie Needham Holt.

Ben is survived by his daughter, Peggy Belk Milligan (Keith) and grandchildren: Katie Milligan Maglone (Noah), Mandy Milligan Roan (Amado),and John Milligan; his grandson, Steven Belk (John); his granddaughter, Rebekka Belk (Brad); his daughter-in-law, Martha Belk and children: Beth Remillard (Scott) and Carrie Ann Restel(Damon); his brother-in-law, James Needham (Barbara); his brother-in-law, James Holt; Dawn Small(grandson Drew's wife);his 'adopted' daughter, Sherri Soignier; and, 8 great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Thank you to those at LSU Health Center Medical ICU and those at St. Joseph Carpenter House for your care in his last days.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home (www.lbch.org) or The Little Flock Baptist Church - Missions (1805 Little Flock Road, Many, La, 71449).

Graveside service to be held June 17, 2023, 9am at Forest Park Cemetery.