Thomas "Tom’ Benfield

Thomas "Tom’ Benfield, Jr., 68, of Morganton, NC died Monday, September 5, 2011 at his residence. Born in Burke County, NC on October 6, 1942, he was the son of the late Thomas Edward Benfield and Mary Walker Benfield. A good-natured, humble man, Tom loved NASCAR.He is survived by his wife, Mickie Hembree Benfield of the home; a son, Rick Benfield and wife, Sherry, of Morganton; grandchildren, Amanda Williams, Angela Benfield, and Ashley Benfield; five great-grandchildren; and a sister, Katherine Houser and husband, Harvey, of Morganton.In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Honeycutt, and a nephew, Brian Houser.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 8, 2011 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center with Rev. Kenneth Shew officiating. Burial will follow in River Valley Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. At other times the family will be at the residence. Memorial contributions may be made to Sossoman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 2608, Morganton, NC 28680 to help with funeral expenses.