Collinsville
Funeral Home
McClain-Hays Funeral Home
Visitation
Thursday, October 6, 2022, 5-8 p.m., McClain-Hays Funeral Home
Service
Friday, October 7, 2022, 11 a.m., McClain-Hays Chapel
Obituary
Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on October 4, 2022, and has moved on to his heavenly home. MSgt(Ret) Benell (Ben) R. Vincent, age 75 , a retired member of the MS Air National Guard who had served within the 186th Air Refueling Wing Meridian, has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord. Ben also served in the U.S. Nave during the Vietnam era.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Airman. We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Obituary, visitation, and service details:
Funeral services for Ben Vincent will be held Friday, October 7, 2022 at 11 a.m. from McClain-Hays Chapel with Rev. Jim Hutchinson and Bro. Hank Pilgrim officiating. Burial will follow in Christian Life Apostolic Cemetery in DeKalb, Ms. Visitation will be held Thursday, October 6, 2022 from 5 until 8 p.m. from McClain-Hays Funeral Home. McClain-Hays Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Vincent, 75 of Collinsville, Ms died Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Mr. Ben was born and raised in Collinsville and Lauderdale County, Ms and a 1964 graduate of West Lauderdale High School. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1965 and served on the USS Independence during the Vietnam Era, and when he returned home he joined the Air National Guard and retired after 27 years of military service. He loved to travel, car shows, his Corvette and antique cars. His favorite hobby was cowboy shooting and was a member of SASS. Mr. Vincent was of Christian Faith
Survivors include his wife, Diane Vincent of Louisville, MS; daughters, Stacy Howell (Chad) of Jackson, MS and Angie Hardy (Shannon) of Philadelphia, MS; stepsons, Richard Clark (Misty) of Louisville, MS, Clifton Clark of Louisville, MS and Shane Clark of Philadelphia, MS; grandchildren, Hailey Byrd, Savannah Hardy and Hailey Hardy; step-grandchildren, Lane, Cody, Will and Cheyenne Clark; sister, Donna Kay Vincent Johnson of Bailey, MS
Mr. Vincent was preceded in death by his first wife, Charlotte Vincent; parents, Nelson and Bennie Mae Vincent.
Pallbearers, Shannon Hardy, Richard Clark, Clifton Clark, Cody Clark, Will Clark, Lee Vincent, Brad Busbea and Chad Vance.
Honorary pallbearer, Lane Clark.