Visitation
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
MSgt. Holland “Keith” Benfield, USAF Ret., 68, of Morganton, NC, went to his heavenly home Friday, January 13, 2023.
Born in Cleveland County, NC on October 28, 1954, he was the son of the late Cecil Benfield and Carolyn Denney Benfield. Keith was a member of Freedom Baptist Church.
He retired from the US Air Force and the NC Prison System, having worked at the Western Carolina Youth Correction Center. He was a jack of all trades and a master of none.
A wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, Keith is survived by his wife of 13 years, Thressia Parlier Benfield; children, Emily Benfield Keenan (Shawn), Amanda Reynolds (Steve), and Brandi Anthony (Allen Gregory); grandchildren, Makayla, Nathan, Molly, Sarah, Samantha, Hannah, Harlyn, Katelin, Briar, and Hunter; great-grandchild, Ariyah; brothers, Pete Benfield and David Benfield (Brenda); sister, Susan Thompson; and mother-in-law, Dorothy Parlier.
In addition to his parents, Keith was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Rev. Wendell Parlier.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Sossoman Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Freedom Baptist Church with Revs. Bud Harmon and Lloyd Harris officiating. Burial will follow at Big Crabtree Baptist Church Cemetery in Spruce Pine, NC. Military honors will be provided by the US Air Force.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Tribute Wall
Leave a tribute for MSgt. Holland “Keith” Benfield, USAF Ret..
Ben, sorry to hear of your passing. You were a great friend and very supportive during our remote assignment in Turkey. Rest in peace brother! You'll always be in our heart and memories. Thank you for the service to our country.
Thressia and family We wish we could be there for you today and the days to come. Keith lived below me in the early 1990s. We got to be friends and had some great times on the bikes. Harold and I were so happy to reconnect and find out he found his love and built a beautiful life. I've read the other notes and pray that all who loved him are held in the arms of God. May your memories help you through this difficult time. Sincerely, Deb and Harold Steele Rapid City, South Dakota
Thressia, We are so sorry to hear about your husband, Keith. He must have been a great person and we are sorry we didn't get a chance to know him. I know you are hurting pretty awful but remember he is not. He is walking the streets of gold, with all his loved ones and yours, that have gone before him. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Love you forever, your cousin Chris and Ronald and family.
Thressia and family we were so sorry to hear about Keith's passing. He was such a friendly man that always had a smile on his face! You and your family are in our prayers for the days ahead. Heaven is getting sweeter everyday with our loved ones going before us but rest assured we will see them all again one day!
I love y’all very much and I am praying for the family
Thressia so sorry that you lost Keith he was a Great man & friend. I know you'll miss him but you'll meet him in Heaven. I Love you, you've been one of the Best friends I've ever had. We Love you & we're Praying for you.... Emily sorry you lost your Dad he was a good man & friend. Love you & Praying for you. Prayers for the rest of the family as well. Randy, Norma & Dawson Speagle
Thressia so sorry that you lost Keith he was a Great man & friend. I know you'll miss him but you'll meet him in Heaven. I Love you, you've been one of the Best friends I've ever had. We Love you & we're Praying for you.... Emily sorry you lost your Dad he was a good man & friend. Love you & Praying for you. Prayers for the rest of the family as well. Randy, Norma & Dawson Speagle
Keith was a wonderful person and will be missed by all. He was a blessing to our family and always spoke with a smile on his face no matter how he felt or was going through himself. He gave selflessly to all. He would always ask about Jim when he didn't get to see him or talk with him. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!!! Such a Blessing to all that knew him. He made sure that his family and my "Sis" was taken care of with her needs and wants. Please pray for my "Sis" in the days ahead and this family. Love You All Bunches!!! Until be are together again My Buddy, Keith!! Bertie and Jim
Thank you for your service young man... God Bless you and yours, God's speed
You were truly the best pawpaw ever. You always done your best to see to it that our dreams came true. Life will never be the same without you. I love you and I’ll see you later