Elizabeth Crouch Benefield

Elizabeth Crouch Benefield, 73, one of the most graceful, intelligent, and caring of women passed away peacefully the morning of March 28th, at home in Decatur, GA with her sons by her side. She fought long and hard against pulmonary fibrosis and outlived the disease prognosis by two years. A memorial service celebrating her life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Apr. 1st at Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Decatur, GA.

Beth was born in Vidalia, GA to Thomas and Helen Crouch. She graduated from Decatur High School and attended LaGrange College. It was there she met her love and future husband, Phil Benefield, who was home from North Georgia College. They married and Beth transferred to North Georgia with Phil. Upon Phil's graduation and commissioning in the U.S. Army, they were stationed at Fort Stewart, GA. Beth finished her undergraduate classes at Georgia Southern University with a degree in Education. She became a teacher, returning to her high school alma mater. She stopped teaching to raise her sons but returned to the classroom shortly after Thomas graduated.

Among other things she loved to travel. With her husband, she traveled to England, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, Hawaii, Alaska, and many states in the continental US also.

She was involved in many areas of community life from early on. Elementary Room Mom, Cub Scout Den Mom, Friends of Fernbank, Garden Club, Junior League of DeKalb County, and always very involved in church activities at Oak Grove UMC. She made lifelong friends at Oak Grove through Disciple Bible Studies, the Hope Sunday School Class, Covenant group, Fidelis Circle and more.

She is survived by her son Phillip, daughter-in-law Kim, granddaughters Mary, Rebecca, and Katherine of LaGrange, GA; son Thomas, daughter-in-law Anna, and granddaughters Ramona and Corinne of Decatur, GA. Our family thanks the caregivers, doctors, nurses and friends who extended her life, shared their love and made the last few months much better than they would have been without them. We could not have done it without you.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033