Roy Benefield, age 71, of Cataula, GA., went Home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 3, 2021. Funeral services are scheduled for Sunday, October 10 at 3pm at Striffler-Hamby, Columbus, GA, with Pastor Andy Taunton officiating. Committal service will be held on Monday October 11 at 1pm in Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus, GA. The family will receive friends at 2 pm prior to the service. The family will also have visitation on Friday, October 8 from 5-7pm at the funeral home.
Roy was born June 30, 1950, to the late James Roy Benefield and Ruby Crittenden Benefield in Columbus, GA. He was a 1968 graduate of Jordan Vocational High School. Roy was Christian by faith, accepting Christ in his youth. He regularly attended Emmanuel Baptist Church, Cataula, GA. Roy made his life’s work in forklifts, bringing Toyota Forklift to Columbus in 1983 as Professional Lift Sales and Services, LLC. He retired in December 2017 from Southern States Toyota. Roy was a hardworking man and a mentor to many. His advice was to “always keep a pen in your shirt or pants pocket, have a notepad to write on, always keep a flashlight on you, and to never stand around with your hands in your pockets”. He loved saltwater fishing with his fishing buddies and NASCAR. He enjoyed old-time quartet gospel singing and, as a teen, he was a member of Riverview Quartet along with his brother Floyd, sister Linda, and mother. He especially enjoyed listening to Ernie Haase. Roy said the last 31 years were the best he had lived because of his wife Lynn. He loved her deeply. He loved his family, friends, and his and Lynn’s mini-dachshund Coco. He always answered his phone and was there whenever needed. Roy was a member of the Columbian Lodge No. 7 of Columbus, GA. Roy was Past Master and a 32nd Degree Mason. There was nothing Roy couldn’t fix. Many people would call him for assistance for working through mechanical issues. Roy was indeed a master at his trade. While some might skim through a magazine, Roy would be reading repair manuals or saltwater fishing magazines. Roy was a man who said what he thought and meant what he said. Roy was wise, thoughtful, and worldly with a very analytical mind and was very knowledgeable with any task.
Roy is survived by his wife Lynn, children Mark Hebert, Newport News, VA; Tori (Hobie) Larck, Wetmpka, AL; Heather (Eddie) Lunsford, Phenix City, AL; Jason (Jennifer) Hebert, Destin, FL; Leigh Roller, Columbus; sister Linda (David) King, Phenix City, AL; sister Marie Logan, California; thirteen grandchildren, Brandon (Kindall) Dobson, Wilmington, NC; Tamara (Johnny) Ross, Wetumpka, AL; Zachary (Samantha) Luster, Wetumpka, AL; Kaitlyn (Justin) Lyle, VA; Grace and Dylan Lark, Wetumpka, AL; Zachary Hebert, Surry, VA; Drew (Savannah) Lunsford, Columbus GA; Payton (Laracco) Glaze, Ft. Bliss, TX; Melany Lunsford, Phenix City, AL; Nyles Huling, Stockbridge, GA; Scarlett and Miller Hebert, Destin, FL; two great-grandchildren Nora and Ian Dobson, Wilmington, NC; sister-in-law Sandra Benefield, Midland, GA; brother-in-law Chris Lutz, Houston, TX; several nieces and nephews, and very special friends with whom he enjoyed many fishing trips.
Roy was predeceased by his parents, brothers Floyd and James, sisters Dorothy Jones and Nancy Canty. The family and friends agree the world was a much better place with Roy in it and we mourn his loss.
“Keep ya nose to to the grindstone and keep on doin what ya doin”
