Benny Mack Kerley, 85, of Hiddenite, N.C., passed away May 10, 2022, at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, N.C. Benny was born March 24, 1937, in Alexander County to the late Mack Little Kerley and Myra Benfield Kerley.

Benny served in the U.S. Army and worked for the Department of Transportation. Benny loved racing. He was a NASCAR champion, 1972 NASCAR North Carolina Late Model Sportsman Champion, and 1966 Hickory Motor Speedway Hobby Track Champion. He liked to fish and enjoyed camping. Benny was a member of Stony Point 593 Masonic Lodge, and he loved his Church, Temple Baptist Church.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 27 years, Dorothy Kerley of the home; two sons, Wesley Mack Kerley and his wife Sharon of North Charleston, S.C.; Jon Dowell Kerley and wife Banet of Hiddenite; one stepson, Donald Watson of Lenoir, N.C.; two stepdaughters, Kim Stephens of Houston, Texas, and Sharon Painter and husband Joe of Newton, N.C.; one sister, Frances Fickling of Greensboro; six grandchildren, Benjamin Kerley of Columbia, S.C., Greyson Kerley of Omaha, Neb., Dr. Kaitlyn Kerley of Nashville, Tenn., Dainya Locicero of Hiddenite, N.C.. Chase Dye of St. Joesph, Mo., Dylan Kerley of Hiddenite, N.C.; and one great-grandchild, Kolt Justice of Hiddenite, N.C.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a half-sister, Alice Lee.

Funeral Services will be conducted on May 14, 2022, at 3 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Jim McGraw will officiate. The family will receive friends on May 14, 2022, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow the service at Hiddenite Cemetery with full Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625; or Gideons, 321 W Main Avenue, Taylorsville, NC 28681.

Chapman Funeral Home is serving the Kerley Family.