Espy Ray Benfield, Jr.

Espy Ray Benfield, 79, of Statesville, passed away Thursday, December 13, 2018 at Iredell Memorial Hospital. He was born on March 19, 1939 in Iredell County to the late Espy Ray Benfield Sr. and Eutrella Evelyn Brown Benfield.



Ray was a graduate of Celeste Henkel School and married Shelby Jean Fox Benfield on October 5, 1958. They shared over 60 years of marriage before his passing. He was truck driver for over 40 years before retiring from Yellow Freight Company. Ray was a member of Fairview Baptist Church



Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Eric Benfield; a daughter, Shelley Rae Benfield; and two siblings.



Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Shelby; a son, Scott Benfield (Sandy); a daughter, Angela Burdick (John); grandchildren, Eric Benfield (Brittney), Lauren Travis (Kevin), and Candace Davis (Reid); a great grandchild, Easton Ray Benfield; and numerous nieces and nephews.



Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at Fairview Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Scott Eanes and Rev. Paul Hill officiating. Burial will follow in the Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will visit with friends at the church prior to the service from 1:00 until 1:45 pm.



Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.