Joan Robinson Benham was born on January 24, 1944, to Robert (R. L.) Hammond Sr. and Sarah Lunsford Hammond. She was raised on Jackson Street in the Brooklyn Community, Jacksonville, Florida. She attended Mt. Calvary Baptist Church under the late Reverend William M. Hill. She was actively involved in numerous communities.  Later she became a member of St. Pius Catholic Church in the mid-seventies. She attended Matthew Gilbert High School graduating in 1956.

She attended and graduated from Edward Waters   College with a Bachelor's Degree in Science. After graduation, she worked as a swim instructor for YMCA of Jacksonville FL. She also worked in the Duval County Health Department for over 30 years. In 1961 Joan Hammond married Elbert Lawrence Robinson, Sr. In 1962, Elbert Jr was born. Then in 1968 Errol was born. Joan divorced and later married Clarence Benham JR, Retired,(Colonel)USAF Joan was a breast cancer survivor. God called Joan home on April 29, 2023.

Her transition was peaceful. She was preceded in death by her parents (R. L.) Hammond Sr, Sarah Lunsford Hammond and her brother Roger Hammond. She leaves to mourn, her husband Clarence Benham Retired, Colonel)USAF; her Aunts Bernice Griffin, Lillie Mae Meadows, Joann Lunsford, Gloria Rodgers; her uncle Allen Vanburen , Willie Lee Knowles (Brenda) her brothers, Robert Hammond and Chris Hammond; her sons, Elbert L. Robinson Jr., and Errol Robinson; grandchildren Lamont A Fountain ( Shernika L Fountain)  Elbert L Robinson III,(Shantil Robinson) Lauren Robinson; great-grandchildren Ethan, Kamryn, Enzo, and Raelynn; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and many sorrowful friends.