Alma Childers Benefield

Alma Thompson Childers Benefield, 94, a resident of Montgomery, Alabama, died on Monday, January 2, 2012. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Leak-Memory Chapel with Reverend Chuck Ashley officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Hill Memorial Park in Talladega, AL at 3:00 PM. Visitation will be Thursday from 10:00-11:00 AM at Leak-Memory Chapel. Born on May 29, 1917 in Weogufka, she was the fifth of six children born to James Evan and Mary Emily King Thompson. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Addie Forshee; and her brothers, Charles, Hudson, Smith, and Evan Thompson. During her lifetime, Alma was fortunate enough to have the love of two wonderful husbands. She was married to her first husband, E. A. “Red” Childers for 28 years until his death in April of 1970. A few years late she met and married Russell Benefield. They were married for 33 ½ years before his death in January of 2006. She is also preceded in death by Russell’s son, Raye Benefield. She is survived by a daughter Emily C. Smith (George) of Montgomery, AL; a son William (Kay) of Guntersville, AL and a daughter-in-law Jean Benefield of Guntersville, AL. The Grandchildren who knew her as Granny “B” include Dawn S. Tillery (Andy) of Birmingham, AL; George C. Smith III (Stephanie) of Montgomery, AL; McRae Benefield (Kim) of Guntersville, AL; and Dr. Bill Benefield of San Antonio, TX. Great Grandchildren include Elizabeth Tillery of Birmingham, AL; Luke Smith of Montgomery, AL; Jeselyn Benefield and Raechel Benefield, both of Guntersville, AL. She is survived by one sister-in-law Eloise Thompson of Lanett, AL and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Benefield was a 1937 graduate of Jacksonville State Teachers College and a 1942 graduate of Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn). Her 32 ½ years as an elementary school teacher began in 1937 in St. Clair County followed by brief stops in Bullock, Barbour, and Jackson Counties of Alabama. In 1947 she moved to Talladega where she taught for 24 ½ years until her retirement in 1973. After her move to Guntersville in 1973, she joined the First Baptist Church of Guntersville and Guntersville Lions Club. She was a member of the Alabama Education Association, Alabama Education Retirees Association, Marshall County Education Retirees Association, Meadowwood Garden Club, and Golden Eagles. Widowed in 2006 and experiencing declining health, she moved to Montgomery to be near her daughter. Since that time, she has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Montgomery. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the caring and loving staff at Crowne Health Care of Montgomery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 or a charity of your choice. Arrangements under the direction of Leak Memory Chapel, Montgomery, AL.