Service Announcements

Dr. Benjamin Augustus Dias
June 1, 1937 – September 8, 2026
A Distinguished Gentleman. An Educator. A Father. A Grandfather. A Friend. A Life Well Lived.
Dr. Benjamin Augustus Dias, 89, lived a life defined by education, generosity, family, and an enduring belief in the potential of others.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Dr. Dias was a proud son of Jamaica who later made his home in Charlotte, North Carolina, while maintaining a deep connection to his Jamaican roots. He earned his doctorate from Atlanta University and devoted much of his professional life to higher education as a chemist, educator, and academic leader. He served at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, where he retired after serving as Dean of the Chemistry Department.
Education was more than Dr. Dias’s profession—it was part of his life’s purpose. His commitment extended beyond the university classroom to students in Jamaica, particularly those in the Chemistry Department at MICO University Collegein Kingston. He believed that financial circumstances should never determine the limits of a promising student’s potential and helped create opportunities for students to continue their education.
As distinguished as his professional life was, his greatest legacy cannot be measured by degrees or titles alone. It lives in the people he taught, encouraged, supported, cared for, and loved.
Throughout his life, Dr. Dias was affectionately known as Pops, Dad, Daddy, Ben, Benji, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, Uncle Bus, Busta, and Sir. Each name reflected a relationship and a special place he held in the lives of others.
Among those who held a special place in his later years was his longtime caretaker, Betty Wyrick (Adrian, Sr), who was by his side for many years. Her care, support, and steadfast presence became an important part of his daily life, and her devotion is remembered with deep gratitude by the Dias family.
Dr. Dias was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Dias and Irene Morgan Dias, and his siblings, Teddy, Wesley, Harris, and Melretta.
He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Heinrich “Ricky” (Pauline) Dias, Andrea Hamilton (Norman), Keary Dias, and Dain Dias; his ten grandchildren, Shawn Ellington, Marie Lacayo (Orlando), Staci-Ann Dias-Moore (Trenis), Sanaah Hamilton, Aliyah Hamilton, Lauren Dias, Nakia Grier, Luke Dias, Avery Dias, and Eden Dias; his eight great-grandchildren; his longtime caretaker, Betty Wyrick (Adrian, Sr); extended family; former students and colleagues; and the many people whose lives were touched by his presence.
Dr. Dias will be remembered as an educator who challenged minds, a scholar and academic leader, and a man who believed ability deserved an opportunity to flourish. His family and friends will remember his wisdom, humor, distinctive personality, guidance, and the presence that made him uniquely their own.
Dr. Benjamin Augustus Dias lived eighty-nine remarkable years, but the influence of those years will reach far beyond them. His legacy continues through the students he taught and supported, the lives he touched, and the generations of family who will carry his memory forward.
There will be an unmistakable absence where his presence once stood, but there will also be profound gratitude—for his life, his knowledge, his generosity, his lessons, and the privilege of knowing and loving him.
Rest well, Benjamin. Rest well, Sir.
Your work is complete. Your lessons remain. Your legacy continues. And you will be deeply  missed.
Service for Dr. Dias is as follows

Saturday, September 19th
Service Details- Gravesite Service
Gethsemane Memorial Gardens
1520 West Sugar Creek Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28262

– Visitation: 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
– Service: Starts promptly at 10:00 AM. The casket will be closed at exactly 10:00 AM, and there will be no further opportunity for viewing after that time.

Memorial Donations

In honor of Dr. Benjamin Augustus Dias and his lifelong commitment to education, those wishing to make a memorial contribution may donate to:

MICO University College Foundation of America
The Ben Dias Tuition Scholarship
2717 Nettle Lane
Buford, GA 30519

Your contribution will honor his legacy and his enduring belief in the transformative power of education.

WATCH THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE HERE: [Link]

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