Margaret Starr Benefield

Margaret Virginia Starr Benefield, 96, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on October 22, 2025, at Gallaway Health and Rehab near her daughter who resides in Collierville, Tennessee. Mrs. Benefield was born in Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama and had been a resident of Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida since 1974. She was a member of East Brent Baptist Church. Mrs. Benefield was an active member and Bible teacher in the churches her husband pastored for 54 years in Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, and Florida.

Her friends knew her for her love of the Lord. One of her favorite verses was “The people who know their God will display strength and take action.” (Daniel 11:32b) Margaret was a woman of action who took this verse seriously. “She loved life, she loved people, and she was joyful,” best described her.

Mrs. Benefield worked for Palm Beach Men's Suits during WWII and through the years became an accomplished seamstress. She made all four of her daughters’ school, prom, and wedding dresses and her mother's business suits. A tiny woman with a big heart for people who needed a new dress or shirt or a laugh was one way Mrs. Benefield decided she could reach out and give.

Mrs. Benefield was a prolific reader of publications and books. She became a student of the Bible at an early age, and later a gifted teacher of it. She kept 30 years of journals, wrote poetry, and sent weekly letters to family members. She had a natural gift for singing and performed for church fellowships, retirement homes, and family holidays. James was her sound engineer, and she learned to play the organ when she was in her late 70’s. Mrs. Benefield attended Precept classes and taught Sunday School for 54 years, working with indigent and disabled persons in their communities. Sometimes she was an advocate and a voice for those who had no voice.

Her teachings and examples of faith left her family a legacy. With her compassion and intuitive nature, she was an asset to her husband of 68 years. Margaret became a trained Hospice counselor for Northwest Florida, a member of Compassionate Friends, and Reach Out to Live after experiencing the loss of their 30-year-old daughter to a life-long chronic illness. Mrs. Benefield and James cared for her mother in their home for the last seven years of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth Rae Breed Starr of Roanoke, Alabama, and Frank Madison Starr of Kissimmee, Florida; her husband, Rev. James Benefield; four daughters: infant Benefield, Gretta Benefield of Brandon, Mississippi, Wanda (Larry) Laton of Pensacola, Florida, and Phyllis (Randy) Whitlock of Taylorsville, Mississippi; brother, Albert Frank Starr of Frisco City, Alabama; and her nephews: Albert Ray Starr, George Starr, and Gene Starr.

Mrs. Benefield is survived by her eldest daughter, Elizabeth Starr (Dennis) Arthur of Collierville, Tennessee; grandson, Scott (Rhonda) Arthur of Collierville, Tennessee; granddaughters: Dawn Ford Muench of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Robyn Ford (Brandon) Townsend of Sharpsburg, Georgia, April Ford (Adam) McCann of Cookeville, Tennessee, Allison Whitlock (Shon) Spradley of Soso, Mississippi, and Joy Whitlock of Bartlett, Tennessee. Their “Nana" leaves a legacy of faith and longevity for her 16 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her nephew, William Frank Starr of Summerdale, Alabama; niece, Terry Starr Mayo of Oakdale, Louisiana; and brother-in-law, Buddie (Fran) Cummings of Wedowee, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Precept.

Please share your condolences online by signing Mrs. Benefield’s guestbook.

A funeral service will be held at Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home, located at 1985 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL 32534, on November 1, 2025, at 10:00 am.

A committal service will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home Incorporated, located at 7433 Pine Forest Rd, Pensacola, FL 32526, on November 1, 2025, beginning at 11:30 am.