Nilmarg Eylane Benefield Stovall, 93, of Gadsden, AL went home to celebrate Christmas with her Lord and Savior and Marshall on December 16, 2018. Affectionately known by her family and friends as Nilm, was born in Cherokee County, June 10, 1925. She received her special name from Dr. Gramlin (spelled backwards) who delivered her. She attended Emma Sansom High School and graduated Salutatorian of the Class of 43. She met the love of her life, Marshall Edwin Stovall, as a teenager and loved him from that day forward. They married October 26th 1943 in Trenton, Georgia, to begin their beautiful love story. Marshall shipped out two days later for Japan for WWII and was gone for 2 years. Nilm went to work at Cleaner Hangers making ammunition for the war. When Marshall returned home they had 2 children. Nilm and Marshall renewed their vows on their 50th anniversary and again on their 70th and celebrated 73 years of happiness.
Nilm was a faithful member of Bellevue Baptist Church where she and her father were the custodians. She taught children’s Sunday School and GA’s for a number of years. Nilm then worked at Holy Name of Jesus Hospital for 5 years and successfully completed the Alabama Board of Nursing’s LPN exam. She became employed at Baptist Memorial Hospital later to become Gadsden Regional Medical Center where she lovingly cared for hundreds of patients for 37 years.
She was a member of Marshall County Craft Club and delighted in making antique quilted Angels and “Time Out Kids” dressed like precious little children. She loved to travel and attended craft shows all over Alabama and taught craft classes on Carnival Cruise Ships.
Nilm was preceded in death by her spouse, Marshall E. Stovall; her parents, Ethyl Maybell Hyde and Louis Franklin Benefield. Her brothers, Fred and Inez Benefield of Longview, Texas; Buck and Alma Benefield of Gadsden; Sisters, Jewel and Ben Davis, of Gadsden; Iva and Tom LeCroy, of Gadsden; Sue and Ralph Lyda, of Panama City, FL; Clara Benefield, of Land O’Lakes, FL and grandson, Clint Stovall.
Nilm is survived by 2 children, Marshall Rodney (Cathy) Stovall and Jan Hale-Stevens (Mickey) and a chosen daughter, Cathy Hayden (Richard Pike), of Pell City, and a brother, Marvin Benefield, of Land O’Lakes, FL; several nieces and nephews.
7 grandchildren; Michele (Ronnie) Whitt, (their first granddaughter) of Oxford, Michael Stovall, of Gadsden; Amanda Simpson, Of Oxford; Andy Hale (Jamie Moore, of Hokes Bluff; Nicholas (Bethany) Hale, of Calera; Nancy (Barry Williams, of Lawrenceville, GA; Jon Oliver, of Alexandria, VA; Chris Stevens, of Reece City; and Michael (Brandon) Stevens, of Southside.
17 Great Grandchildren: Katie and C.J. Morrison; Blake Stovall (Haleigh Roberson); Matthew (Candi) Stovall; Madisyn Stovall; Allan East and Dyllan Simpson; Jayda, Ricky and Savannah Hale; Tylor (Whitney), LeaShay, Bear Stevens, Anaya, Inex, Isla and Ezra Stevens.
6 Great Great Grandchilren: Remi Morrison, Gracie May Stovall, Cali Grace and Evy Raya and Carter Stevens, Keegan Marshall East.
Pallbearers will be Michael Stovall, Matthew Stovall, Blake Stovall, C.J. Morrison, Andy Hale and Nicholas Hale.
Special love and thanks to Russell Machen, the staff of Encompass Hospice, Amedisys Home Health Care and Amedisys Hospice. Special caregivers, Shokira, Luke, Carman, Sara, and Matt, Jessica and Rhonda and Dr. Jason Ayres, Dr. Junkins, Dr. Sandra Carpeneter, Dr. William Haller III and Liz Giles. She truly loved every one of you.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the building fund at Bellevue Baptist Church.
The service will be officiated by Brother Roger Graham of Bellevue Baptist Church. Visitation will be Tuesday evening at Collier-Butler Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. Service will be held at Bellevue Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday where Mrs. Stovall will lie in repose from 10 am until the hour of service at 11:00 a.m.
If you knew her, you loved her! She will not soon be forgotten.
