Jewel Marie Benfield Gilliland

Jewel Marie Benfield Gilliland, 72, of Connelly Springs, NC, formerly of Marion, NC, went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Born in McDowell County, NC on February 28, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Charles Jesse Benfield and Vinia White Benfield. Jewel attended Bethlehem Baptist Church in Old Fort and Morning Star Freewill Baptist Church. Mrs. Gilliland enjoyed reading and bingo, and operated Jewel’s Bingo in Marion.Jewel is survived by her sons, Ricky D. Gilliland and his girlfriend, Angie Coffey, and Sammy E. Gilliland, both of Connelly Springs; daughter, Violet "Peanut" Dillingham and her husband, Robert, of Morganton, Goldie Daubach and her husband, Rick, of Winder, GA, and Mary Brewer and her husband, Bill, of Statesville, NC; eleven grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Joyce Smith and her husband Richard, of Morganton; many nieces and nephews; and her canine companions.In addition to her parents, Jewel was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin Gilliland; a son, William David Gilliland; eight brothers; and one sister.The memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Friday, May 2, 2014 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center with the Rev. Chuck Trip officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:30 until 4:00 p.m. prior to the service.Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.