Obituary of Donald E. Benefield

Donald E. Benefield, 79 of Wedowee, died Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at his home after a courageous battle with Cancer. Don was preceded in death by his parents Lawson and Bertha (Wilson) Benefield as well as three brothers, Carl, D. V., and Dorsey. Don began serving his Country in July of 1953 when he joined the Alabama Air National Guard during the Korean War. He graduated from Randolph County High School, a member of the Class of 1954. After graduation he went to work at Hunter, Allen Myhand Funeral Home in LaGrange until January 1955 when he entered the United States Air Force where he served as a member of the Air Police. His duties included patrolling the Flight Line, Runways and entrance gates onto the Base. Most of his tour he was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base in South Florida. Don went on to get his degree in Mortuary Science in 1962 from the Dallas Institute-Gupton Jones in Dallas, Texas. He worked as a funeral director/manager for Kraeer Funeral Home in Pompano Beach, Florida, from 1959-1970. Shortly after returning to his roots in Randolph County, Don and Brother E. Z. established Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee in 1972 and shortly after Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville. This was the beginning of Don’s dream of being able to bring professional funeral service and broadening the choices for the people of Randolph and Clay Counties. This dream expanded when he had the opportunity to purchase Quattlebaum Funeral Home in Roanoke. Don was always a hardworking, down to earth man. He owned and operated The Wedowee Western Auto Store, Benefield Florist Shop, operated heavy equipment, enjoyed his cattle and in his younger years even tried his hand with a cotton crop. Don was a member of the East Alabama Antique Tractor and Equipment Club, Liberty Grove Congregational Methodist Church, a 32 Degree Mason and Shriners. He served the citizens of Randolph County as the Coroner for 12 years as well as Sheriff for more than 6 months following the unexpected retirement of then Sheriff Fred May due to medical reasons. Don was also very instrumental in establishing the Randolph County Ambulance Association providing ambulance service throughout Randolph County. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Alyce (Kerr) Benefield; children, Tim (Ginny) Benefield of Tuscaloosa, Vicki (Doug) Roth of Columbus GA, Cindy Baker of Carrollton GA, Jeff (Bridgette) Benefield of LaGrange GA; nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Polly Jackson of LaGrange, Orene Crenshaw of Roanoke; two brothers, Ralph (Sybil) Benefield of Wedowee, E. Z. (Bobbie) Benefield of Lineville; brothers-in-law Robert Kerr of Wedowee, Alan (Sylvia) Kerr of Germany and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at 2:00 PM from Benefield Funeral Chapel with Rev. Greg Norred officiating. Burial will follow at Wedowee City Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM on Saturday, February 21, 2015. Pallbearers will be Kevin Baker, Eric Baker, Andy Mullican, Kenneth Wortham, Jason Kitchens, Don Thomas, Stan Williamson, Ricky Daniel and Justin Benefield. Honorary pallbearers will be the Staff of Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee, Quattlebaum Funeral Home of Roanoke, Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville and The Lady Staff Members from H & M Drugs of Wedowee.