Wanda Washington Benefield

Mrs. Wanda Washington Benefield, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, peacefully passed away on Sunday March 9, 2025, in Mandeville, La. Wanda was born on September 7, 1938 in Shreveport, La., to Nolan Davis Washington and Sybill Goodman Washington, both of Linden, Tx.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Carl Rhea Benefield, Sr. (June 27, 1998) and her precious granddaughter Rachel Renee Meyers.

She is survived by her older and younger brothers Phillip Nolan Washington and Michael Wayne Washington, as well as her three children, Carla Sue Jones (Bill), Janice Renee Meyers (Joseph), and Carl Rhea Benefield, Jr. (Kristine); six grandchildren, Natalie Jones Kitchen (Britt), William David Jones (Krista), William Kevin Jones, Joseph Carl Meyers (Lana), Morgan Kristine Benefield, and Brandon Carl Benefield,; and six great grandchildren, Nolan Kitchen (16), Elizabeth Kitchen (14), Benjamin Kitchen (12), Ethan Jones (11), Liam Jones (9), and Cleo Meyers (1).

Wanda’s life was guided by her faith in Jesus Christ and her love for the family she cared for over many years. She was a gardener like her father, a gifted cook like her mother, and had a deep well of wisdom and compassion that came from years of following God closely. Her presence was comforting to others as she volunteered in many roles in her local church and at various New Orleans conventions. She admired the beauty of God’s creation, was inspired by art and fiction, and enjoyed reading and learning even into her last years. Her family is comforted by the hope of eternity and the joy that she is secure in the arms of the Savior she worshiped sincerely.

The family held a private graveside service on Saturday, March 22nd in Haynesville, La.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110