Kelce “Benny” Hollifield

Kelce “Benny” Hollifield, 71, of Morganton, NC passed away Sunday, December 4, 2016.  Born in McDowell County, NC on April 3, 1945, he was the son of the late Kelce Hollifield and Rosie Savannah Elkins Hollifield.  Benny was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.  He loved his beagles and the outdoors.  Always putting family first, he especially loved caring for his special-needs grandson, Chris.

Mr. Hollifield is survived by his wife, Wanda Cook Hollifield of the home; children, Kimberly Hollifield Raper of Morganton and Richard Lewis Hollifield and wife, Jeri, of Hilton Head, SC; 6 grandchildren, Chris, Brandon, Brooklyn, Cody, Connor, and Megan; 4 great-grandchildren; and 2 brothers, Larry Hollifield and wife, Peggy, and Ricky Hollifield, all of Marion, NC.

In addition to his parents, Benny was preceded in death by a daughter, Sherri Cooke; a step-son, William Chapman; and a grandson, Ryan Chapman.

The family will receive friends from 1 – 2 pm, Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center.  The funeral will be held at 2 pm in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. Eldon Hinegardner officiating.  Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 678, Morganton, NC 28680 or to the American Lung Association, National Direct Response Headquarters, 1200 Hosford Street, Suite 101, Hudson, WI 54016-9316.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.sossomanfh.com.