Robert Lee Benfield

Mr. Robert Lee Benfield, 92, of 335 N. Oakland Ave., Statesville, died Sunday December 21, 2014 at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Born in Iredell County on September 30, 1922 he was a son of the late Earley Lee Benfield and Kate Jane Josey Benfield. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Potts Laney and his best friend, who was like a brother, William Hooper. Mr. Benfield was an avid sports fan and coach. He was an avid golfer having had two holes in one and played all sports in school. He loved to watch Duke University Sports and his favorite football team was the Washington Redskins and his favorite baseball team was the St. Louis Cardinals. He graduated from D. Matt Thompson High School and served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific. He was employed starting at Superior Dairies then Phoenix, Beaunit and Burlington Mills from which he retired in 1993. Survivors include a sister, Mary Aileen Benfield of the home, a nephew, Tony Graham Potts and his wife, Libby, a niece, Sissy Potts Shew and her husband, Roger along with great nephews: Kevin Graham Potts (Dana Johnson), Wesley Dale Shew (Tina), a great niece, Stacy Shew Baldwin (Richard) and great great nephews, Alec, Ryan and Kole Baldwin and great great nieces, Lillian and Sayde Shew. He is also survived by his beloved pet cats, Kitty Bell and Stumpy. Services celebrating Mr. Benfield's life will be conducted at 3:00 P.M. Friday at Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Donald Horton and Rev. Darren Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Burial will be held at 4:00 P.M. Saturday at Oakwood Cemetery with full military rites presented by the Iredell County Veterans Council Burial Detail. Condolences may be sent online to the family to www.nicholsonfunerals.com. Memorials may be given to Calvary Community Church 334 N. Oakland Ave. Statesville, N.C. 28677. Nicholson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.