Obituary of Betty Jane Ward Benefield

Betty Jane Ward Benefield, age 82, of Ozark, died in her home Wednesday evening, January 23, 2008, following an extended illness. Funeral services will be 2:00 P. M. Saturday, January 26, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church of Ozark with Reverend Dr. Christian Eckert and Reverend Marty Hamilton officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. She will lie in state at the Church one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Mrs. Benefield's grandsons will serve as pallbearers with The John Wesley Sunday School Class serving as Honorary Pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 P. M. until 7:00 P. M. Friday evening. Born May 8, 1925 in Quincy, Florida to the late Mittye Elizabeth Sullivan Ward and Robert Fletcher Ward, Mrs. Benefield moved to Ozark while her husband served in the Army Air Corps in World War II and remained to raise her sons and grandchildren. A member of First United Methodist Church of Ozark for over 60 years, she served in many roles including President of The United Methodist Women and as a Charter Member of The John Wesley Sunday School Class. She was a Charter Member and President of The Literary Club and served as a Cub Scout Leader for over twenty years, receiving The Silver Fawn Award. Mrs. Benefield was also proud to have all ten of her sons and grandsons become Eagle Scouts. She served as an American Red Cross Volunteer for over twenty years and was active with The Wiregrass Chapter of The American Ex-Prisoners of War, serving as Adjutant. Survivors include her husband of 64 years, A. L. Benefield, Jr. of Ozark; four sons and two daughters-in-law, Alan Benefield of Ozark, Barry Benefield of Panama City, Florida, David (Belinda) Benefield of Ozark, and Steven (Catherine) Benefield of Vestavia Hills; grandchildren, John Alan (Greta) Benefield of Auburn, Adam (Katie) Benefield of Greensboro, Brandon and Jackson Benefield of Tuscaloosa, Joy and Stewart Benefield of Vestavia Hills, and Lisette and Parker Benefield of Ozark; great grandchildren, John Asheton Benefield and Aidan Benefield. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Ozark, 167 East Broad Street, Ozark, Alabama 36360, or to Boy Scouts of America, Alabama-Florida Council, 6801 West Main Street, Dothan, Alabama 36301. Service Information