Arleene Weisner Baldwin Benfield

She was born March 7, 1911, in Iredell County and was the daughter of the late Espy Vance and Etta Myers Weisner. She was a graduate of Union Grove School, a retired employee of Davis Hospital and a homemaker. She was a member of First Baptist Church where she had been a faithful member of the Priscilla Bible Class.

On February 19, 1938, she married Garl Victor Baldwin who preceded her in death on April 29, 1972. Surviving from this marriage are two sons, Thomas “Tom” Vance Baldwin of Statesville and Billy Michael “Mike” Baldwin (Linda) of Broken Arrow, OK; a grandson, Thomas “Tommy” Michael Baldwin of Myrtle Beach; three granddaughters, Amy Baldwin of California, Elizabeth B. Lattig (Jim) of Medina, OH, and Emily B. Miller (Shad) of Jenks, OK; and seven great-grandchildren, Noah, Gabe, Anna and Katie Lattig, Kellen, Eli and Alexis Miller.

She is also survived by a sister, Mary W. Lewis of Statesville; a nephew, Everette L. “Bill” Plyer; and a niece, Dottie P. Conger (Jim). Preceding her in death was a brother, Frank Weisner and a sister, Frances Weisner Rehr-Laffoon.

On April 7, 1986, she married John Robert “Bob” Benfield who preceded her in death on May 1, 1989. Surviving from this marriage are two step-daughters, Frances B. Leonard of Grover, NC and Bobbie B. Gregory (Jim) of Columbia, SC; a step-daughter-in-law, Jean H. Benfield of Statesville; seven step-grandchildren; and several step-great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death in 2010 was her beloved step-son, John R. Benfield.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:30 AM Thursday, July 26, 2012, at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday at Iredell Memorial Gardens with Dr. Jeff Porter officiating.

Jeff Rosenbuam, Larry Coover, Ray Bunton, Brandon Rosenbaum, Danny Stikeleather, Norman “Buddy” McColl, Mick Godfrey, and Josh Godfrey will serve as pallbearers.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625; or to First Baptist Church, 815 Davie Avenue, Statesville, NC 28677.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to all the Hospice staff who cared for Arleene Benfield. Also the wonderful people who cared for Arleene at home, Paulette Klein, Sheila Rousseau, Gloria Wilhelm, Kari Stroupe, Mae Taylor, and Dianna and Larry Coover.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.