Dr. Ray W. Benfield

1929 - 2023

Benfield, Dr. Ray W.

December 6, 1929 - December 10, 2023

"Church Planter, Chaplain, Pastor, & Missionary"

Ray William Benfield, of Winston-Salem, passed from this life on Sunday December 10th, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 73 ½ years Evelyn York Benfield and their sons, Kamron and Kent.

He was born December 6th, 1929, on a cotton farm in rural west Iredell County, NC along with his twin, Ralph Lawson, who died tragically in an accident on the family farm when they were eight years old. Having witnessed this event, it laid the foundation for his insatiable desire to honor God. Ray's mother ensured the large family would be at New Bethany Baptist Church most every time the doors were open.

Ray was a 1948 graduate of Celeste Henkel High School, with his further education consisting of a year at Jones Business College in High Point. He worked in an industrial office in Statesville until March of 1952. Ray volunteered for the United States Coast Guard during the Korean Conflict, first serving as a deck hand on the USCG Cutter Cherokee (WAT-165) sea-going tug out of Norfolk, Va. and then as a Storekeeper on the International Weather Ship USCG Cutter Mendota (WHEC-65) out of Wilmington, N.C. patrolling the North Atlantic. He was honorably discharged in 1955 and continued as a USCG Reservist. It was during this time that he accepted the call to become a Minister. He enrolled at Wake Forest College in the town of Wake Forest, N.C. The campus relocated to Winston-Salem in 1956. As a student employee of the College, he often joked he moved the entire WFC Library westward to Forsyth County!

Ray was ordained into the Gospel Ministry while a full-time student and was the founding Pastor of Peace Haven Baptist Chapel in the Sherwood Forest area of Winston-Salem in 1957. Graduating in the Spring of 1959, he began commuting to Southeastern Theological Seminary in the fall, ironically located at the former Wake Forest campus in Wake County, graduating with his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1962. This was the same year that his leadership and vision resulted in Peace Haven becoming a church, and the building of the progressive octagonal design sanctuary and educational space which are still in use today. He was active in both the Pilot Mountain Baptist Association and Sherwood Interdenominational Ministers' Group. Ray and Evelyn were involved in many types of outreaches throughout the Winston-Salem area, such as the Patterson Ave. Mission, etc. outside of the PHBC congregation. After 12 years, he and Evelyn answered the call to become Pastor and wife at First Baptist Church of Carthage, N.C. in October 1969. In addition to leading the congregation, he was involved in defeating the controversial Liquor by the Drink campaign in Moore County. He was a leader for positive racial relations in Carthage. Ray became more active in the North Carolina Baptist State Convention, serving as both 2nd and 1st Vice President, Recording Secretary, and he was on the General Board. In 1973, he and Evelyn were called to Lindley Park Baptist Church in Greensboro, N.C. The congregation graciously allowed him to begin the Doctor of Theology program at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY in 1975. He was able to complete this at an accelerated pace in June of 1977.

Ray had served on the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention as an officer in the 1970's as well, and in 1980 he & Evelyn accepted a Missionary Associates position, their first appointment to Salzburg, Austria. They spent the next five years at the International Church of Salzburg, ministering to international students and many others. Trinity Baptist Church in Athens, Greece was their next appointment, from 1985-1990. They were able to work with many military families who were stationed at the U.S. Air Force base. Ray and Evelyn then moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, as the Pastoral couple of the Kristuskirchen Church until their retirement in 1995.

Ray and Evelyn returned to the Winston-Salem area where they were able to continue their ministry by sharing their experiences at Mission events in many churches, associations, state conventions, and national conferences. Ray was active in the fledgling Cooperative Baptist Fellowship during this time, on both the NC and national level. He served several churches in the Forsyth County area as Interim Minister, and then served as the Chaplain at Brookridge Retirement Home in Winston-Salem. Into his 80's he was called upon to officiate weddings, funerals, and to serve in a speaking capacity in many area churches services. Ray and Evelyn became residents at Salemtowne Retirement Community in 2014. He enjoyed time with new and old friends, and precious time with family.

In addition to his wife Evelyn and sons Kamron and Kent, those left to cherish his memory and carry on his wonderful legacy are Kam's wife Dana Hiatt and Kent's wife Vera Carr Benfield. Grandson Jay Benfield and his mother Rose Collins. Granddaughters Kelli Benfield, Holli Benfield Stratton, Anya Benfield and one precious GreatGrandson Patterson Jay Benfield and his mother Kimberly Van Horne. The extended families of his siblings who preceded Ray in death which include brothers Harvey, Doyle, Joe, Gordon and Benny, sisters Ruey, Helen, Lorene, Cleo and Charlcie.

A memorial service and celebration of life is planned for Saturday, Dec. 16th, 12 High Noon at Peace Haven Baptist Church 3384 York Rd. Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106 with Pastor Nathan Parrish officiating. Condolences may be made online at www.salemfh.com.

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service (Downtown)