Grace Margaret (Eller) Benefield

Mrs. Grace Margaret Eller Benefield, 91, of Newnan, widow of the late Arthur Benefield, died Saturday, May 30, 2020 at her residence.

Grace was born on September 16, 1928 in Atlanta, the youngest child of the late Ersie Leon Eller and the late Susie Iola Moore Eller and graduated from West Fulton High School in 1945.  She married her husband Arthur in December of 1945 after his return from World War II, together they had four children and raised their family in East Point, Georgia.  Grace was a homemaker and graduated from LPN school after her children were grown.  She worked in the newborn nursey of South Fulton Hospital and for Dr. Elizabeth Lathem in south Fulton county.  Grace was an avid reader, loved clogging, even into her 80’s, and adored rocking babies in the church nursery.  She loved Jesus and her church, Heatherwood Baptist Church in Newnan.  Grace served others before herself, was generous to those in need, and encouraged others with cards, calls, and emails in her 80’s.  She had a keen sense of humor and livened gatherings of family and friends with her quick wit.  Even through her struggles during the past few years she continued to exhibit wit and persevered with grace.  Because of her faith in Jesus Christ as the only sacrifice for her sins and salvation, she was confident of her eternal destiny in Heaven with the Saints.  In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother.

Survivors include her children, Elaine Bryan (Bob) of Newnan, Kathy Shegda (Steve) of Sharpsburg, Alan Benefield of Sagamore Hills, Ohio, and Randy Benefield (Nell) of Elberta, Alabama; grandchildren, Amy Wilbanks (Shane), Jason Bryan, Matt Gaddis (Jennifer), Alex Shegda (Jan), Andrew Shegda (DeAnna), Kathleen Shegda, Stephanie Furbee (Bart), Sarah Benefield, Joe Benefield (Leslie), Tommy Benefield (Kristen), Laura Luker (Will), Thomas Barrett, Amanda Volk (Darren), LesLee Benefield, and Chris Benefield (Becky); great-grandchildren, Noah Wilbanks (Courtney), Eli Wilbanks, Samuel Wilbanks, Timothy Wilbanks, Elizabeth Wilbanks, Alivia Bryan, Ana Bryan, Madison Benefield, Bryan Benefield, James Luker, Haley Benefield, Christina Benefield, Emily Vargas, Nicholas Vargas, Ashton Vargas, Meagan Hulsey (Jason), Rachel Kilgore (Josh), Morgan Furbee, Bailey Gaddis, Zach Gaddis, Oliver Shegda, Emerson Shegda, Hayden Volk, Ethan Volk (Jenna), and Anna Grace Volk; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private graveside service for family will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens with Reverend Shane Wilbanks officiating.  A public memorial service will be held Friday, October 23, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse, Post Office Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ in memory of Grace.

Higgins Funeral Home Hillcrest Chapel is honored to serve the family of Grace Benefield, please visit www.hillcrestchapelcares.com to share your memories or leave a condolence message.

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