Mayno Benfield

On Wednesday, January 13, 2016, Mayno Benfield left her earthly dwelling to enter into her glorious eternal home where no walking sticks are needed, where there is no pain that will slow a person down, and where songs and music can be shared and none of those listening are in a nursing home. Mayno was a life long resident of the the Sawmills Community. She was born to the late Harvey and Oma Bolick Duncan on July 13, 1925. She was the last surviving sibling of eleven children. Her brothers were Lee, Charlie, Floyd, Hubert, Harold and Ralph Duncan. She had four sisters, Dorothy D. Curtis, Juanita Duncan, Thelma D. Beckham and Mary D. Pope.Mayno married Adam Joshua “J” Curtis in 1941. While “J” was serving in the Navy during World War II, she took care of their children, Carroll and Vivian. They lived in a little two room house which used to serve as the “pack house”. Also, sharing the house was her sister Mary and her two children. Mary’s husband was also in the Navy. “J” died in 1949 at an early age and Mayno took a job in the cotton mill at Rhodhiss. While working there she met and married Ralph Benfield. Born to her and Ralph were two daughters, Anita and Michelle. In 1999, Mayno and Ralph celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary which was hosted by their loving children and grandchildren. After many years of working in the mill she decided she would like to return to school and obtain her degree in Cosmetology. She earned her GED and then enrolled in CCC&TI. After earning her certification, she started her own business which was located beside her home. Mayno had many talents and interests. She was an avid reader of books and her Bible. Singing at local nursing homes a couple times each month for several years was one of her missions. She crocheted many baby booties and hats for her church to send to unwed mothers homes. Also, she loved to shop even in her later years she sometimes wanted to shop until she could not go any longer and it would take her a few days to recuperate. In 2005 her husband Ralph passed away followed by their daughter Anita in 2013. Mayno is survived by her children Carroll Curtis and wife Kathleen, Vivian Teague, and Michelle McAllister and husband Ron. She also had five grandchildren, Tyler Curtis and wife Carolyn, April Jacob and husband Jon, Chad Mullis and wife Melinda, Bill Williams and wife Linda and Radar Williams and wife Amanda. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, six step great-grandchildren and one step great-great-grandchild. The family is truly grateful for the outstanding love and support of her church Whitnel Pentecostal Holiness Church and her amazing Ministers, Rev. Keith Gilliam, Rev. David Crisp, Rev. Gray Williams and Rev. Stephen Jones. Also, they wish to give a special thanks to Todd Nix, Pat Icard, Harolyn Roberts and Jean Townsend for their selfless love and help. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 3:00 PM at Whitnel Pentecostal Holiness Church. The family will receive friends and family one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests memorial donations be made to Whitnel Pentecostal Holiness Church, 1890 Connelly Springs Road, Lenoir, NC 28645 or to Catawba Regional Hospice and Palliative Care, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658 Online condolences may be sent to the Benfield Family at www.evansfuneralservice.comEvans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Benfield Family.