Charlie Benfield

Mr. Charlie Albert Benfield, 89, of Statesville, departed this life to be with his Lord, loving wife and other family on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. Mr. Benfield was the last surviving child of 17 children born to Alonzo Manardy and Pearl Smith Benfield in Alexander County on June 22, 1923.. He attended Iredell County schools and he was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Mr. Benfield was married to Effie Campbell Benfield for 57 years before her death on February 23, 2001. He was a truck driver for Biltmore and Sealtest Dairies for over 40 years and had a perfect driving record during his time there and he was a faithful member of Fairview Baptist Church. Mr. Benfield is survived by one daughter, Betty Benfield Johnson (Donald) and one son, Donald Lee Benfield, both of Statesville. He is also survived by three grandsons, Timmy Johnson of Statesville and Michael Benfield (Telitha) and Jason Benfield (Kristen), both of Harmony along with two granddaughters, Lorrie Johnson Redmond (Joe) of Olin and Donna Finlayson of Statesville. He is further survived by seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Mr. Benfield will be conducted 4:00 pm Friday, August 17, 2012 at Fairview Baptist Church with Dr. Scott Eanes and Rev. Paul Hill officiating. The family will visit with friends from 2:30 until 4:00 pm at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with full military honors. Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons. The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to Dr. C.K. Lai, Gentiva Home Health Care, especially Terry Shook for his loving care for Charlie, as well as the fourth floor nursing staff at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Charlie Benfield.