Hilda T. Benion

1933 - 2023

Hilda Benion, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, transitioned peacefully into eternity on December 19, 2023, at the age of 90. She was born on January 29, 1933, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Willie Mae Gholston Daniels and Archester Thomas, Sr. She grew up in the close-knit neighborhood of East Birmingham (Coosa Street), where she developed a strong faith in God and a love for music, fashion, and education. She was a founding member of Greater New Bethel Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. She later joined First Baptist East Lake, where she continued to serve as a Sunday School teacher. She rejoined Greater New Bethel after the closing of First Baptist East Lake.

July 10, 1955 Hilda married Louis Benion, the love of her life. They enjoyed 68 years of marriage, a beacon of love and stability to their entire family. They were blessed with four children: Keith, Kenneth, Karla, and Kelvin. Hilda was a devoted mother who nurtured and supported her children in their spiritual, academic and personal endeavors. She was also a proud grandmother of nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, whom she adored.

Hilda graduated from Parker High School in 1951 and went on to attend Alabama A & M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. She later earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Early Childhood Education. Hilda had a passion for teaching and caring for children. She began her career as an instructor at Southtown Childcare Center, where she later became the Director. In 1973 she expanded her teaching career in the Birmingham Public Schools at Robinson Elementary School and Oliver Elementary School. She retired in 1996, after 23 years of service. She was a dedicated and inspiring first and second grade teacher who touched the lives of many students and colleagues.

Hilda, an honored Dove, was a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (Alpha Sigma Zeta Chapter), and recipient of the Zeta of the Year Award. She enjoyed crocheting and was a long-time member of the North Birmingham Library Crocheting Club. She worked diligently as a member of the Thomas/Jarrett Family Reunion organizing committee, where she served as treasurer. She enjoyed weekly Bible study, loved to travel, read, watch movies, and spend time with her family and friends.

Hilda was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Mae and Archester; her daughter Karla; her brothers, Jocephus, and Ellie; and her sister, Joycelyn.

She is survived by a devoted caring family, her husband, Louis; her children, Keith (Cheryl) of Nashville, Tennessee, Kenneth (Cynthia) of Madison, Alabama, and Kelvin (Chrishina) of Huntsville, Alabama; her grandchildren, Tia, Karl (Taylor), Kori, Saidah, Jessica, Zuri, Kendra, Kennedy, Kaleb; her great-grandchildren, Karie, and Ky ‘Mir; her brothers, Archester Thomas Jr. of Cleveland, Ohio and Jack Daniels of Birmingham Alabama; her sister-in-law Maggie Mapson of Summerville, South Carolina; her special cousin/daughter Corlis (Clarence) McCurdy of Birmingham, Alabama and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.