Ollie Benefield

Ollie Ann Benefield, 85, of Gale, Illinois, passed on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, surrounded by her family.

She was born Oct. 23, 1933, in Port Townsend, Washington, to Bert Henry and Gertrude Elizabeth Lawrence Brown. Ollie attended Hoquiam High School in Washington. She and Charles Raymond Benefield were married Aug. 12, 1954, in Gale, Illinois. He preceded her in death May 27, 1991.

After raising her family, Ollie began working in the paint department at Riverside Lumber. She was recruited to create paint departments as Central Hardware and Lowes opened stores in Cape Girardeau. During those years, she found a lifelong passion for helping others make their businesses and homes beautiful. She retired in 2005.

She loved shopping, gardening and cherished her time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her two sons, Gregory (Laurie) Benefield of Lakeview, Arkansas, and Mark (Jackie) Benefield of Chaffee, Missouri; three daughters, Terrie Harter of Cape Girardeau, Jill Benefield of Gale and Cathy (Jan) Dishinger of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Mike (Linda) Brown of McClure; two sisters, Peggy Benefield of Gale and Patti (Ed) Fairbank of Anna, Illinois; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son-in-law, Rich Harter; three brothers, infant Joseph, Junior and Jeffrey Brown; and a sister, Betty Gunnels.

Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

A memorial service will follow at 6 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Glenn Hamilton officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Lindsey Cemetery in McClure.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to The Salvation Army or The Church of God in Gale.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.