Msgt Ret Obituary, Death – MSgt. Holland “Keith” Benfield, US Air Force Ret. Beginning on October 28, 1954, and continuing until January 13, 2023, For 68-year-old retired Master Sergeant Holland “Keith” Benfield of the United States Air Force, Morganton was home. He finally succumbed to his disease and passed on to the next life on Friday, January 13, 2023. On October 28th, 1954, he was born in Cleveland County, Ohio. Cecil Benfield and Carolyn Denney Benfield, his parents, had both died before the birth of their son. Keith might frequently be found in the congregation of the Freedom Baptist Church. He eventually opted to retire after serving in the United States Air Force and the North Carolina jail system, where he worked as a corrections officer at the Western Carolina Youth Correction Center. He was versed in a wide range of subjects, but none of them were at the expert level.
Keith was an exceptional member of his family in all three roles: husband, father, and grandfather. Theresia Parlier Benfield, his wife of 13 years; his children Emily Benfield Keenan (and her husband Shawn), Amanda Reynolds (and her husband Steve), and Brandi Anthony (and her husband Allen Gregory); his grandchildren Makayla, Nathan, Molly, Sarah, Samantha, Hannah, Harlyn, Katelin, Briar, and Hunter; his great-grandchild Ariyah; his brothers Pete Benfield and David Benfield (and his wife Brenda); and his sister Susan Thompson survive him. Keith’s in-laws’ father, Reverend Wendell Parlier, died before him, following in the footsteps of Keith’s own parents, who died before him.
The family will be present at the Sossoman Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. to greet friends who have come to pay their respects. Funeral services will be held at Freedom Baptist Church on Thursday, January 19, at 11 a.m., officiated by Reverends Bud Harmon and Lloyd Harris. When the time comes, the Big Crabtree Baptist Church in Spruce Pine will be in charge of burying the remains in their cemetery. The United States Air Force will be in charge of delivering the military honors required by law at the funeral.