You’ve probably seen the name while driving down Division Street. Or maybe you noticed it on a scholarship flyer at Delaware State University. In Dover, Bennie Smith isn’t just a name on a building; he’s basically an institution. When people search for Bennie Smith Dover Delaware, they often expect to find a simple business listing, but the reality is a massive legacy that spans over forty years and three states.
Honestly, it’s rare to find a local entrepreneur who has managed to scale a business to this level while keeping his boots on the ground in Kent County.
Who Is the Man Behind the Name?
Bennie Smith didn't start at the top. Far from it. He grew up on a farm in Faceville, Georgia, a background that he often credits for his work ethic. By the time he landed in Dover, he had a vision for something that didn't really exist yet: a large-scale, African American-owned funeral service network that didn't sacrifice the "small-town" touch.
He opened his first location in 1982.
Since then, it has exploded. We’re talking about one of the largest Black-owned funeral home operations in the entire United States. While the headquarters stays rooted at 717 West Division Street in Dover, the reach extends throughout the Delmarva Peninsula, into Maryland and Virginia, and even up into New York and Pennsylvania. It’s a huge footprint for a guy who started with just one shop.
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More Than Just a Business Move
If you ask locals about Bennie Smith, they don’t just talk about memorial services. They talk about the money. Not what he makes, but what he gives away.
For years, Bennie and his wife, Shirley, have been the driving force behind significant educational funding in the region. They didn't just write a one-time check; they established the Bennie and Shirley Smith Endowed Scholarship at Delaware State University (DSU).
- The Initial Gift: A cool $23,500 to start.
- The Long Game: A pledge to add $100,000 to that endowment over time.
- The Reach: It’s not just DSU. They also funnel significant support to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).
I think it’s kinda cool that he served as a member of the DSU Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2012. He wasn't just a donor watching from the sidelines; he was in the room helping make decisions for the next generation of students in Dover.
The Changing of the Guard
There’s been some confusion lately about who actually runs the show. It’s a fair question. After forty years, things change.
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In the spring of 2022, a major shift happened. Terrence D. Nichols, who had been the COO for over a decade and a close friend of the Smiths, actually acquired ownership of the Delaware locations. If you go to the Dover office today, you might still see Bennie—he keeps an office there and stays involved as a consultant—but the daily grind has shifted to Nichols.
It’s one of those rare "succession" stories that actually seems to work. They still collaborate, and the name on the door isn’t changing anytime soon. The "Bennie Smith" brand is too valuable to the community to ever swap out.
Why Dover Still Matters to the Brand
Dover is the heartbeat of the operation. While they have 13 locations across Delmarva, the Dover site is where the big stuff happens. It’s got massive banquet facilities that host everything from business conferences to community celebrations.
It’s also where they run their holiday fundraisers. These aren't just small office parties. They’ve been known to draw 700 to 800 people, including governors, senators, and local clergy. In 2018 alone, one of these events raised $25,000 for scholarships in a single night.
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That’s why the search for Bennie Smith Dover Delaware stays so high. People aren't just looking for services; they’re looking for the center of a community hub.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume a business this large is a cold, corporate machine. But if you look at their recent moves—like sponsoring the 2025 August Quarterly Festival, which is the oldest African American religious festival in the U.S.—it’s clear they are doubling down on tradition.
They also branched out into "water cremation" (alkaline hydrolysis) and other modern options. It’s a weird mix of old-school Georgia farm values and high-tech funeral trends.
Actionable Steps for Engaging with the Legacy
If you're looking to connect with the organization or understand its impact, here is how you actually navigate the Bennie Smith ecosystem:
- Check the Scholarships: If you or a family member are headed to DSU or UMES, look specifically for the Bennie and Shirley Smith Endowed Scholarship. It’s a real resource that many people overlook.
- Visit the Dover Site for Events: Don't just think of 717 W Division St as a funeral home. They have banquet spaces available for private and professional events that are among the largest in the city.
- Verify the Location: Make sure you are looking at the right entity. There is a distinction between the Delaware locations (managed by Terrence Nichols) and the Maryland/Virginia locations, though they share the name and heritage.
- Community Sponsorships: If you are running a local non-profit or community event in Dover, this is one of the first doors you should knock on. They have a documented history of supporting local causes, from the August Quarterly to various youth programs.
Bennie Smith's story is basically the American Dream with a Delmarva twist. It’s about a guy who moved north, saw a gap in the market, treated people with dignity during their worst moments, and then spent the rest of his life making sure local kids could afford a decent education. In a world of faceless corporations, that’s a legacy worth knowing.