Arlene Draper Benfield

Arlene Draper Benfield, 50, of Drexel, NC passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at Mission Hospital. She was born on March 13, 1966 in Burke County, NC and was the daughter of Willard Halsey Draper and Doris Agnes Fox Draper. Arlene was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister and daughter who loved her family dearly. She loved to travel and especially enjoyed visiting the beach and the mountains. Arlene obtained her bachelors from Gardner Webb and masters at Western Carolina University. All while being a single mom raising two children. She had a giving spirit and went out of her way to help others.
She is preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Jacob and Mary Fox; and brother, Gerald James Draper.
Arlene is survived by her children, Mark Allen Benfield and wife, Jessica, and Rebecca Lynn Gilley; granddaughter, Samantha Benfield; brothers, Willard Halsey Draper, Jr., Henry Anthony Draper and wife, Leslie, Christopher C.T. Draper, and Timothy Allan Draper; half-sister, Suzanne Draper; and a number of nieces, nephews and extended family.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 15, 2016 at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center. A memorial service will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center with Pastor Kenneth Medford officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity, Burke Mission Station, P.O. Box 352, Morganton, NC 28680.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.