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YOLANDA BENEFIELD Obituary
Yolanda Morales Benefield of Lake City passed peacefully from this life May 21, 2011 at home, surrounded by her family. She was 80.
Yolanda was born in Monterrey, Mexico to Angelina and Santiago Morales. While working at the University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, she met a young medical school student from Phenix City, Alabama. She married that medical student, Joseph Irwin Benefield, MD, in 1955. The family moved to Lake City in 1964.
The oldest of nine children, Yolanda was a tower of strength and model of love for her own brothers and sisters, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as for her many adoring nieces and nephews in Florida, Alabama and Mexico. She was an active member of Epiphany Catholic Church. She cherished her many friends in Lake City, and loved cooking for friends and family. In "Bird's" kitchen, everybody was family and one of her favorite quotes was "We always have room for one more."
Yolanda was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Joseph I. Benefield, a brother Horacio Morales, an infant daughter, Maria del Rosario, and her youngest son, Daniel Benefield. She is survived by brothers Octavio, Juan and Santiago, sisters Elia, Beatriz and Angelina, sister-in-law Mary Propst, daughters Bennie Parker (Ricky) of Lake City, Yolis Jopling (John) and Betsy Miles (Troy) of Gainesville, Laurie Pace Benefield of Lake City, and a son Joseph R. Benefield of Kennesaw, Georgia; 13 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and more than forty nieces and nephews. In addition, Yolanda was loved and cared for by Mirna Gray, Esperanza Davila and Andrea Jordan.
A visitation will be held at Guerry Funeral Home from 5-7 pm on Thursday May 26th. Funeral services will be held at Epiphany Catholic Church Friday May 27th at 11 a.m. Arrangements are under the care of Guerry Funeral Home, 2659 SW Main Blvd, Lake City, FL 32025. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Epiphany Catholic Church, 1905 SW Epiphany Ct., Lake City, FL 32025, Haven Hospice 4200 NW 9001 Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606, or to a favorite charity.
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Memories and Condolences
for YOLANDA BENEFIELD
Jennifer Dampier- Ogburn
May 31, 2011
To all of the Benefield Family I was so sorry to hear of your mother death. When I was a little girl my mother was her hair dresser, she would always bring me little treats and I even remember going to her house one time to swim! I will always have fond memories of Mrs. Benefield!
Kathy Chastain
May 25, 2011
Dear Benefield children. Your mother was a wonderful person. She made my siter, Doris Lima, and her family a part of your family while they lived in Lake City. What a caring, loving lady she was.
EVERLENA HAMILTON
May 25, 2011
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY. YOUR MOTHER WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON TO MY MOTHER AND FAMILY. I FEEL VERY BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN HER.
Sharyn Willis Shields
May 25, 2011
I'm thinking of your family during this time and sending prayers.
May 25, 2011
"To Bennie, Yolis, Betsy, and all of the Benefield family. Please know how sad I was to hear of your mother's passing and that I have you and your mom in my prayers. I will never forget Miss B...as we used to call her. I'll miss her laugh, her warmth...the delicious pancakes she would make me...She will always hold a special place in my heart."Sylvia Fernandez Pozo (Miami,Florida)
May 24, 2011
We were so sorry to hear of your family's loss. Mrs. Benefield was truly a loving and gracious lady. We will be keeping the family in our prayers.
Julian and Sara Singleton
Chris Vanzant
May 24, 2011
Benefield family,I am so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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