Larry Benefield

Larry Benefield, the fourth of five children, was born on August 14,1951 at Bellevue Hospital, in New York City to his parents the late Albert Benefield, Sr and Bertha Benefield. Larry's parents and siblings, Albert Benefield Jr., and Dorothy Mae Hall preceded him death.

Larry grew up in the Bronx and was a well-mannered, inquisitive jokester with good grades in school. He attended P.S. 145 Jr. High and Taft High School briefly before receiving his GED. He also attended Skidmore college, vowing to return "someday" as he was only a few credits short of receiving an Associate Degree.

Larry spent youthful summers in Columbia SC with his grandparents where he experienced picking cotton which he often jokingly referred to himself as a slave to his grandchildren. It was an experience that he was proud to share because it helped to build his character and strength. As a teenager he was that popular, admired and "fun to be around guy" on the block. It wasn't a good house party until Larry Benefield showed up! And the gals could not wait for him to ask them to dance or at least speak to them. It was during these years that he developed a close friendship with two other teens, Steve Wilson and Cynthia Diaz, calling themselves the Three Shades of Brown. Unbeknownst to him, 50 years later Cynthia would become an even more endeared friend who prayed with and over him as Rev. Dr. Cynthia Diaz.

As a young adult, Larry accepted a position as a Community Liaison for the Bronx Department of Education, allowing him to do what he loved most, which was interacting with the youth and their families in the community. During this time in his life, he became involved in civil rights, participating in demonstrations and marches led by leaders like Malcolm X and Charles Rangel.

Larry's life took an unexpected turn that led him down a less desirable path. However, God's grace and mercy prevailed, and he proudly shared his testimony of overcoming, with Rev. H. Gene Sykes and the Friendship Baptist Church Men's Fellowship. During his valley experience he was led to read the Bible, and it caused him to ponder on the true meaning of the Holy Scriptures. Despite his lack of complete understanding, Larry knew there was a God, and it was only by the grace of God that he survived many of the strenuous situations in his life.

When God restored Larry, he bounced back with resilience and charm! He was offered a job as the Guest Relations Manager at Radio City Music Hall in New York City where he got the chance to meet and socialize with many celebrities. It was also at Radio City Music Hall where he reunited with an old acquaintance that would later become his beloved wife.

He had known this acquaintance, Charlene, since he was 16 and she was 9 years old. By now she was 27 and he was even more handsome, so they began dating. When his assignment ended, he relocated to Columbia SC and temporally stayed with his Aunt Mae before requesting that Charlene and the children relocate to join him. There he became employed as a Youth Worker for the SC Dept. of Juvenile Justice. As a dedicated youth worker, he wanted the juveniles to experience a different environment so he would often obtain consent to bring them home where they could spend time interacting with his family.

In 1993 Larry and the family relocated back north to Bayonne NJ where he accepted a position from the NJ State Department of Human Services in the Juvenile Corrections Division. There he received 3 promotions, several achievement accommodations and a number of unwavering devoted friendships. He retired in 2019 as a Court Liaison after completing 26 successful years of service.

Larry is "still" unconditionally loved by his devoted wife and their 3 children. He is adored by 5 grandchildren whom he affectionately made respond to all his requests with "Yes sir, Drill Sergeant!" Larry loved his family with reverence, consistency, loyalty and dedication. He prided himself on being his family's protector, willing to go to bat at the drop of a hat in protective mode.

Favored by his niece Denise, whom he affectionately called "Denise the Niece", growing up they were more like siblings that ducked and dodged in and out of trouble getting caught and punished with laughter for cutting up. However, he affectionately received and gave the same love to all of nieces and nephews, with special protection over his younger brother Leon and older sister Marie. Larry had a way of making everyone whom he loved feel like they were his favorite,

By the Grace of God Larry was given an opportunity to enjoy his life through a lot of love, music, dancing and laughter. To God be the glory, later in Larry's life he developed a relationship with God in a manner that was between him and God alone.

Hopefully you are among those that got to share his joy and remember him as that dependable family member, that diehard true friend, that great neighbor willing to help a person down on his or her luck, and that stranger always willing to extend a buck.

He leaves to mourn his loss but cherish his memory, his loving wife Charlene Benefield, children, Paris, Kalik (Tamara), Aja (Brian), Rassulama (Kelsey); 9 grandchildren, Ellie, Milah, Kameron, Emmi, Sebastian, Zoe, Kiera, Gabriel and Devon; 2 siblings, Lawrence Benefield and Marie Wilson; 1 brother in law and devoted friend, Charles Sawyer (Carol); 3 nieces, Diane Hall, Denise Thomas and Christine Hill; 1 nephew, Duane Hall; an adopted nephew, Sean Challenger; 7 grandnieces; 10 grandnephews; 11 great-grandnieces and 11 great-grand nephews; 2 great- great grandnieces; beloved extended family; devoted church family and a host of dedicated friends, neighbors and acquaintances.

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