Celebrating the Life of Deloris Beatrice Benson McNeil

Deloris Benson McNeil was born on December 13, 1942, in Winston Salem, North Carolina. She left this world to be with the Lord on Friday, March 15, 2018 in Smithfield, NC after a long illness. God whispered to his daughter it's time my child to come home.

Her parents were Bennie Davis and Beatrice Setzer Benson. She was a quite reserved but determined child. These attributes defined her life and was the foundation of her character. She met and married Major Lee McNeil at an early age. The union produced four wonderful children. She loved her children and dedicated her time and energy to them. She worked for Baptist Hospital for 20 years. Deloris loved gospel music and good preaching and attended several local churches in the Winston Salem area. She came to visit St Paul United Methodist Church one Sunday morning and decided that day she would call St. Paul home.

She leaves to remember and love her-one son Michael Anthony Benson of Clearwater, FL, three daughters; Pauline Yvonne Rhymer of North Augusta, SC, Minister Theresa Beatrice (Eric OSEI Boakye) of Montgomery, AL and Kaleista McNeil (Ricardo) of Smithfield, NC. Her sister, Pauline Shavers Cunningham of Winston Salem, NC. She was a wonderful grandmother to Christina Pemberton (Donovan) of SC, Darrell Keeling GA, Moneaca McNeil of AL, LeGaye Ivey (Calvin Brown) of SC, , Christy Rhymer of GA, Mel Rhymer (Michelle King) of OH, Hubert Rhyme of SC and Victoria Benson. She had 11 great-grandchildren. They are Xavier Pemberton, Chardeneigh Pemberton, Javier Pemberton, Kristian Rhymer, Alexander Rhymer, Sayanna Keeling, Kayden Keeling, Logan Keeling, Alana Brown, Claire Brown and Calvin Brown Jr.

Three nieces, Cynthia Pitts (Melvin) of Kansas City MO, Tracei Shavers Parks (James) of Fairfax Station, VA and Tammy Benson of Winston Salem, NC. Three nephews Lee Walker of Cleveland Ohio, Steven Benson (Levita) of Bogart GA and Christopher Shavers of Winston Salem, NC. A loving cousin, Minnie Earl Benson, of Winston Salem, NC and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a brother, Robert Benson, a sister, Evelyn Huling.

A special note of appreciation to her health care providers, her church family, and her adopted children. A special note of appreciation to her niece Cynthia Pitts (Tina Bina) who unselfishly took care of her auntie every time she was asked.

The funeral is scheduled for March 23, 2018, at 1:00 pm. Family hour is 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Russell Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Donald Jenkins of St. Paul United Methodist Church is officiating. Burial at Evergreen Cemetery.

God Saw You Getting Tired

God saw you getting tired,
When a cure was not to be.
So He wrapped his arms around you,
and whispered, "come to me."
You didn't deserve what you went through,
So He gave you rest.
God's garden must be beautiful,
He only takes the best
And when I saw you sleeping,
So peaceful and free from pain
I could not wish you back
To suffer that again.

- Frances and Kathleen