Former North Carolina resident Willie Mae Benbow, 100, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 5, 2014, at her home in Springfield, Ohio.

She was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Winston Salem, NC. Mrs. Benbow was born April 20, 1914 in Newberry, SC to Will and Eunice (Gordon) Clark. Education was very important to Willie Mae. One of her most cherished accomplishments was her graduation from International Business College at the age of 47 while working full-time for the Budd Wheel Company in Detroit, Michigan. Upon her retirement from Budd Wheel Company she and her husband Gilmer (Ben) returned home to Winston Salem, NC and enjoyed many wonderful years together. She was an avid golf fan of Jack Nicklaus, Calvin Peete and Tiger Woods.

She was predeceased by her parents; seven siblings, Robert Clark, Laura Glenn, Fannie Ware, Louise Doss, Charles Clark, Abraham Clark, and Zenobia Humphrey and her dear niece, Marie Hardy.

She is survived by five generations of nieces and nephews; her sister-in law, Dazelle Jones and childhood friend, Ida Nelson.

Her final resting place will be next to her husband, Gilmer "Ben" Benbow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. Graveside services will be held at 3pm Saturday, August 9, 2014.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the United Negro College fund on her behalf.
The family would like to thank everyone for their prays and support, along with the staff of Oakwood Village Woodlands Assisted Living, Community Mercy Hospice, Robert C. Henry Funeral Home, Springfield, Ohio and Russell Funeral Home, Inc. for their service.