Dorothy Benefield

DOROTHY M. BENEFIELD Dorothy M. Benefield, 81, of Danville, passed away at 2:32 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at Hawthorne Inn in Danville. Dorothy was born on August 11, 1926 in Danville, the daughter of William and Oma (Keller) Colwell. She married Paul Samuel Benefield on July 30, 1947 at the Hooton Church in Danville. He preceded her in death on July 24, 1999. She is survived by her daughter- Paula Jean (Dan) Whitaker of Danville; two sisters- Doretta Norgaar of Danville and Wilma Jean Shaffer of Michigan; one sister-in-law- Wathena Benefield of Lakeland, Florida; four grandchildren- Daniel Beightler of North Carolina, Kelli Beightler of Charlotte, North Carolina, Carly Whitaker of Danville and Josh Whitaker of Los Angeles, California; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother- Gilford Colwell and two sisters- Waneta Farnum and Margaret Marana. Dorothy graduated from Danville High School in 1945. After high school she attended Utterback Business College and later Danville Area Community College. She worked at GE for several years. In 1970 she went to work for District 118 as a librarian. She worked at Elmwood, Cannon and Douglas Schools. She retired from District 118 in 1996. Dorothy always enjoyed helping people. She was a member of Second Church of Christ. Dorothy was always helping out with dinners at the church. She enjoyed reading, gardening and going to church. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren. Dorothys family would like to thank the staff at Hawthorne Inn and Liberty Village for their kind and loving care of Dorothy over the past 8 years. A Celebration of the Life of Dorothy M. Benefield will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2008 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, with Pastor Drew Mentzer officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00- 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park following the service on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the Second Church of Christ. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.