Mildred Elizabeth Benfield Howard

Mildred Elizabeth Howard, 96, died Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at her residence. A Mecklenburg County native, she was born on December 24, 1916 to the late Thomas Edney Benfield and Janie Viola Wiggins Benfield. Mrs. Howard was a home manager for 13 years; for 29 years worked for and retired from Thomas &Howard Wholesale Grocers; subsequently volunteered with Crisis Ministries, then worked and after 15 years of service retired at age 90 from Wendy’s, Cheshire Place being honored as Wendy’s oldest NC employee. She was the oldest member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church where she had been a member since age 12. Mrs. Howard enjoyed sewing, cooking and will be remembered for the beautiful quilts she made by hand.

A funeral to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday, March 16th at Oak Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bob Symanski officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn West Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM, Friday, March 15th at the funeral home.

Mrs. Howard is survived by a daughter, Doris H. Blythe, of Indian Trail; two sons, Alfred Patin Howard, Jr., of Marion, Thomas Hartwell Howard MD and wife Margaret, of Birmingham, AL; six grandchildren, Kim B. Belk, of Indian Trail, Gina B. Ghant, of Monroe, Renee B. Sutton, of Monroe, Johnny Blythe, II, of Indian Trail, Caitlin H. Kirby, of Catonsville, MD, Nathan Howard, of Boston, MA; twelve great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Katie S. Howard.

Mrs. Howard was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Alfred P. Howard, Sr.; two brothers, Clyde C. Benfield, Sr., Harvey Benfield; a sister, Juanita B. Moser and a son-in-law, John M. Blythe.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 6440 Old Statesville Road, Charlotte, NC 28269 or Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.