Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
NameSarah Louise BENFIELD 
470, Sarah Louise Benfield Wright,470, Richard Leroy Wright-Obituary
470, Sarah Louise Benfield Wright,470, Richard Leroy Wright-ObituaryBirthJan 1, 1919, Mooresville, Iredell County, North Carolina470, Sarah Louise Benfield Wright
DeathDec 20, 2008, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina470, Sarah Louise Benfield Wright
BurialSharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina470, Sarah Louise Benfield Wright
Spouses
BirthMay 4, 1916, Summerfield, Guilford County, North Carolina470, Richard Leroy Wright
DeathJan 24, 2021, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina470, Richard Leroy Wright
BurialSharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina470, Richard Leroy Wright
FatherDavid Lawson WRIGHT (1879-1937)
MotherSarah Della LESTER (1888-1926)
Obituary Online notes for Sarah Louise BENFIELD
- Sara Benfield Wright of Charlotte, passed away on December 20, 2008 at Wilora Lake Healthcare Center. She was born Sara Louise Benfield in Mooresville, NC, on January 1, 1919.
- She was predeceased by her father James G. Benfield, her mother Ella Miller Benfield, a brother Harry G. Benfield, and her sister Elizabeth B. Gabriel.
- She graduated from high school in Mooresville and went on to obtain her cosmetology license.
- While working in Davidson, NC, she met and married Richard Leroy Wright. They spent the early years of their marriage in Atlanta then returned to North Carolina to settle in Charlotte. It was here that they raised their two daughters, Libba and Judith.
- In the early years in Charlotte, Sara was an active member of Wilmore Presbyterian Church. She was an able volunteer and served in numerous leadership positions, including President of the Women of the Church, Sunday School teacher, and Circle Bible teacher. Because of her outstanding contributions to her church, she was presented with an honorary Life Membership in the Women of the Church.
- While at Wilmore Presbyterian Church, Sara organized a Girl Scout program and served as the leader of the Brownie Scout Troop. She volunteered for her church as a summer camp counselor at Camp Walton Stewart.
- As her girls were growing up, Sara was also actively involved in PTA, serving as President of the PTA and often as grade mother. Her Santa Clause cookies were a special treat each Christmas. Sara began working for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in the mid-1950s where she was secretary to the new Instructional Television science classes. Not long after, she moved into the Guidance Department where she served as secretary to the Director of Guidance and Counseling. At the time of her retirement, she worked in the records area of the Personal Department. For several years following her retirement, Sara's specialized knowledge was requested to complete several projects. Sara was inducted into Mizpah Chapter Order of the Eastern Star in 1958. She served in various positions, culminating in her election as Worthy Matron in 1968. After 50 years of participation, she was awarded an Honorary Membership. Through Eastern Star, she supported her daughters who were active in the Order of the Rainbow for Girls.
- Upon moving to the Hickory Grove community, Sara and her family joined the Hickory Grove Presbyterian Church in 1961. She quickly became active in the Women of the Church, holding many offices, including serving several terms as President of the Women of the Church. Once again, she was awarded a Lifetime Membership in the Women of the Church. Her extensive knowledge of the Bible was appreciated by many as she taught Bible in her circle and continued to teach Sunday School for a total of over 50 years. She served several terms as a church officer, both as a deacon and as an elder. Sara was the first female elder at Hickory Grove Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed serving on Mecklenburg Presbytery's Council and was excited to be chosen to be a delegate to the church's national General Assembly. She shared her creativity and organizational skills through the church's annual crafts bazaar. Second only to Sara's love for Jesus Christ, was her love for her family. They will remember her wonderful home cooked meals, her skill as a seamstress, her enjoyment of travel, her delightful sense of humor, and the joy she took in becoming a grandparent.
- Sara is survived by Richard, her husband of 69 years, daughter Libba Hicks and her husband David of Charlotte, daughter Judith Wright of Matthews, grandson Bill Hicks and his wife Alicia of Falls Church, VA, granddaughters, Sara Hicks of Atlanta, GA, and Jennifer Stout of Durham NC, great-granddaughter Zoe Hicks of Falls Church, VA, brother, Dr. Robert H. Benfield and his wife Shirley of Charlotte, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
- The family will receive friends from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Tuesday December 23, 2008 at McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park. Interment will be private for the family at Sharon Memorial Park. Honorary pallbearers will be past and present officers of Hickory Grove Presbyterian Church. A memorial service to celebrate Sara's life will be held at Hickory Grove Presbyterian Church on January 1, 2009 at 2:00 pm. Memorial gifts may be made to Hickory Grove Presbyterian Church, 5735 E. WT Harris Blvd., Charlotte NC 28215 or Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.
- McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Road, 704 334-6421 is assisting the family.
- Published in the Charlotte Observer 12/23/2008. 470, Sarah Louise Benfield Wright
- She was predeceased by her father James G. Benfield, her mother Ella Miller Benfield, a brother Harry G. Benfield, and her sister Elizabeth B. Gabriel.
- She graduated from high school in Mooresville and went on to obtain her cosmetology license.
- While working in Davidson, NC, she met and married Richard Leroy Wright. They spent the early years of their marriage in Atlanta then returned to North Carolina to settle in Charlotte. It was here that they raised their two daughters, Libba and Judith.
- In the early years in Charlotte, Sara was an active member of Wilmore Presbyterian Church. She was an able volunteer and served in numerous leadership positions, including President of the Women of the Church, Sunday School teacher, and Circle Bible teacher. Because of her outstanding contributions to her church, she was presented with an honorary Life Membership in the Women of the Church.
- While at Wilmore Presbyterian Church, Sara organized a Girl Scout program and served as the leader of the Brownie Scout Troop. She volunteered for her church as a summer camp counselor at Camp Walton Stewart.
- As her girls were growing up, Sara was also actively involved in PTA, serving as President of the PTA and often as grade mother. Her Santa Clause cookies were a special treat each Christmas. Sara began working for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in the mid-1950s where she was secretary to the new Instructional Television science classes. Not long after, she moved into the Guidance Department where she served as secretary to the Director of Guidance and Counseling. At the time of her retirement, she worked in the records area of the Personal Department. For several years following her retirement, Sara's specialized knowledge was requested to complete several projects. Sara was inducted into Mizpah Chapter Order of the Eastern Star in 1958. She served in various positions, culminating in her election as Worthy Matron in 1968. After 50 years of participation, she was awarded an Honorary Membership. Through Eastern Star, she supported her daughters who were active in the Order of the Rainbow for Girls.
- Upon moving to the Hickory Grove community, Sara and her family joined the Hickory Grove Presbyterian Church in 1961. She quickly became active in the Women of the Church, holding many offices, including serving several terms as President of the Women of the Church. Once again, she was awarded a Lifetime Membership in the Women of the Church. Her extensive knowledge of the Bible was appreciated by many as she taught Bible in her circle and continued to teach Sunday School for a total of over 50 years. She served several terms as a church officer, both as a deacon and as an elder. Sara was the first female elder at Hickory Grove Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed serving on Mecklenburg Presbytery's Council and was excited to be chosen to be a delegate to the church's national General Assembly. She shared her creativity and organizational skills through the church's annual crafts bazaar. Second only to Sara's love for Jesus Christ, was her love for her family. They will remember her wonderful home cooked meals, her skill as a seamstress, her enjoyment of travel, her delightful sense of humor, and the joy she took in becoming a grandparent.
- Sara is survived by Richard, her husband of 69 years, daughter Libba Hicks and her husband David of Charlotte, daughter Judith Wright of Matthews, grandson Bill Hicks and his wife Alicia of Falls Church, VA, granddaughters, Sara Hicks of Atlanta, GA, and Jennifer Stout of Durham NC, great-granddaughter Zoe Hicks of Falls Church, VA, brother, Dr. Robert H. Benfield and his wife Shirley of Charlotte, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
- The family will receive friends from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Tuesday December 23, 2008 at McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park. Interment will be private for the family at Sharon Memorial Park. Honorary pallbearers will be past and present officers of Hickory Grove Presbyterian Church. A memorial service to celebrate Sara's life will be held at Hickory Grove Presbyterian Church on January 1, 2009 at 2:00 pm. Memorial gifts may be made to Hickory Grove Presbyterian Church, 5735 E. WT Harris Blvd., Charlotte NC 28215 or Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.
- McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Road, 704 334-6421 is assisting the family.
- Published in the Charlotte Observer 12/23/2008. 470, Sarah Louise Benfield Wright