Laverne Benefield

THEBES, Ill. -- Laverne "Pooch" Benefield, 81, of Thebes died Thursday, May 17, 2018, at Integrity Healthcare in Anna, Illinois.

She was born Oct. 21, 1936, in McClure, Illinois, to Johnny and Ella Burchyett Kaufman. She and Earl "Fuzz" Benefield married Dec. 10, 1955.

Laverne worked on the assembly line at Davis Electric in Cape Girardeau for more than 30 years before retiring to take on a much more important job, babysitter for her grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was a member of Christ Church of the Heartland in Cape Girardeau.

Laverne is survived by her husband, Earl Benefield; two daughters, Connie (David) Newell and Lisa (Guy) Lesch; four granddaughters, Stacy (John) Davis, Kelli Holloway, Ashley (Matthew) Follis and Lindsay Newell; eight great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Bryce, Kylie, Kiersten, Mallory, Blayne, Adalyn and Kinleigh; four brothers, John (Roberta) Kaufman, Donnie (Joanie) Kaufman, Lloyd (Kay) Kaufman and Curtis Jacobs; three sisters, Roberta (Jack) Stevens, Marcia (Jimmy) Scherer and Judy Sander; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Thomas "T.D.", Bill and Jackie Kaufman; and a sister, Mary Watson.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Pastor Zack Strong officiating. Interment will follow at Lindsey Cemetery in McClure.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lindsey Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.