Delaney Elias Casey, 72 succumbed to cancer on Tuesday morning, November 20, 2007 at his home in Huntsville. "Ben" as he was fondly known by family and friends, was born February 4, 1935 in Asheville, North Carolina to Estus and DeRosette Casey. He was raised in Cullowhee and graduated from the all-black public school, Central Consolidated High in Sylva. He attended Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC for two years, before being drafted into the US Army. During the Vietnam Conflict, he was a reporter for THE STARS AND STRIPES newspaper in Germany and the Armed Forces Network in South Korea. In 1985, Ben retired from the military after 26 years with the rank of sergeant major. After retiring from the Army, Ben worked for radio stations WAHR as News Director and WEUP (AM) as host to "Community Focus".
On December 5, 1970, he was united in Holy Matrimony to the former Ezella Smith and became the proud father of Joseph Nobles (deceased) and Yolanda Nobles-McCoy. Ben was an elder at First Seventh-day Adventist Church in Huntsville, where he served as a deacon for several years. He also headed a prison ministry. After losing his eye sight to glaucoma, he became an activist for those with disabilities. He served as president of the local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind; a member of the Board of Directors of Technology Assistance for Special Consumers and the Children's Advocacy Center Advisory Council.
Delaney "Ben" Casey's memory will live on in the hearts of his beloved and devoted wife, Ezella; a daughter, Yolanda McCoy; one granddaughter, Dianna Lynn Nobles-Stewart (Rico); one great-grandson, DeMario Nobles, all of Huntsville, Alabama; one brother, Horace Casey of Greenville, NC; five sisters: Geraldyne Casey of Ashville, NC, Lorinda Casey, Cullowhee, NC, Victoria Casey McDonald of Sylva, NC, Floretta Graham of Greenville, NC and Irma Casey of Kindton, NC; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Delaney "Ben" Casey will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 26, 2007 from the First Seventh-day Adventist Church with Pastor Benjamin Jones officiating. Interment will be in Valley View Memorial Gardens.