Mark Wesley Benefield was born in Alapaha, Berrien County, Georgia, on September 14, 1922. He was named after his Grandfather Martin (Mark) Wesley Eunice (1871-1946).
His family worked as sharecroppers on a tobacco farm in and around that area. During World War II, Mark served as an anti-aircraft gunner in the Pacific Theater.
On August 14, 1948, Mark married Eileen Manning. They had five (5) children. Mark drove three million safe miles for Ryder Truck Lines over a period of twenty-nine (29) years. Open heart surgery forced his early retirement at age sixty-two (62).
He was active in Leeds First United Methodist Church, enjoyed driving the church van with the Spice of Life Group, delivering Meals on Wheels, visiting with friends and relatives, fishing, and gardening. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Mark's love, kindness, and patience touched many lives.
Aunt Eileen, wrote to my Mom, Evelyn Thomas (Willis) Benefield (1928-2007), after the funeral to let her know how beautiful the funeral was. She said that their daughter, Cherie sang, "His eye is on the Sparrow" and didn't know how she did it - but it was so beautiful.
His family worked as sharecroppers on a tobacco farm in and around that area. During World War II, Mark served as an anti-aircraft gunner in the Pacific Theater.
On August 14, 1948, Mark married Eileen Manning. They had five (5) children. Mark drove three million safe miles for Ryder Truck Lines over a period of twenty-nine (29) years. Open heart surgery forced his early retirement at age sixty-two (62).
He was active in Leeds First United Methodist Church, enjoyed driving the church van with the Spice of Life Group, delivering Meals on Wheels, visiting with friends and relatives, fishing, and gardening. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Mark's love, kindness, and patience touched many lives.
Aunt Eileen, wrote to my Mom, Evelyn Thomas (Willis) Benefield (1928-2007), after the funeral to let her know how beautiful the funeral was. She said that their daughter, Cherie sang, "His eye is on the Sparrow" and didn't know how she did it - but it was so beautiful.
Mark Wesley Benefield was born in Alapaha, Berrien County, Georgia, on September 14, 1922. He was named after his Grandfather Martin (Mark) Wesley Eunice (1871-1946).
His family worked as sharecroppers on a tobacco farm in and around that area. During World War II, Mark served as an anti-aircraft gunner in the Pacific Theater.
On August 14, 1948, Mark married Eileen Manning. They had five (5) children. Mark drove three million safe miles for Ryder Truck Lines over a period of twenty-nine (29) years. Open heart surgery forced his early retirement at age sixty-two (62).
He was active in Leeds First United Methodist Church, enjoyed driving the church van with the Spice of Life Group, delivering Meals on Wheels, visiting with friends and relatives, fishing, and gardening. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Mark's love, kindness, and patience touched many lives.
Aunt Eileen, wrote to my Mom, Evelyn Thomas (Willis) Benefield (1928-2007), after the funeral to let her know how beautiful the funeral was. She said that their daughter, Cherie sang, "His eye is on the Sparrow" and didn't know how she did it - but it was so beautiful.
His family worked as sharecroppers on a tobacco farm in and around that area. During World War II, Mark served as an anti-aircraft gunner in the Pacific Theater.
On August 14, 1948, Mark married Eileen Manning. They had five (5) children. Mark drove three million safe miles for Ryder Truck Lines over a period of twenty-nine (29) years. Open heart surgery forced his early retirement at age sixty-two (62).
He was active in Leeds First United Methodist Church, enjoyed driving the church van with the Spice of Life Group, delivering Meals on Wheels, visiting with friends and relatives, fishing, and gardening. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Mark's love, kindness, and patience touched many lives.
Aunt Eileen, wrote to my Mom, Evelyn Thomas (Willis) Benefield (1928-2007), after the funeral to let her know how beautiful the funeral was. She said that their daughter, Cherie sang, "His eye is on the Sparrow" and didn't know how she did it - but it was so beautiful.
