Life Epitome of Lillian Russell Benefee

Birthplace: August 5, 1934. Muskogee, Oklahoma. Parents Sarah Roberson & George Harris- Deceased. Special Siblings Cornelia Walker-Roach ( Harvey)-Deceased. Josephine Wilson (Roscoe)- Deceased. Stepson Lee Maur Benefee- Deceased. Education: Early Education - Haskell City Schools, Haskell, OK. High School- Booker T. Washington, Tulsa, OK. College - Langston University - Langston, OK., Bachelors degree in Business Management. Graduate studies at University of Central Oklahoma. Marriage: Maurice Benefee, Sr. - Deceased. Church Affiliation: The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 2100 Martin Luther King Avenue, OKC, OK., ( Member for over 50 years). Aisle and Sanctuary Carpet , First Church Building Fund Project Organizer 1984 Junior Warden, Senior Warden, Vestry Member, Convention Delegate for many years. Honors and Awards: Douglas High School Homecoming Decoration Awards. Langston University Homecoming Decoration Awards. Business Leadership Award Recognition, OKC, OK 1980. Organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Beta Sigma Omega, Phi Delta Kappa, American Association of Retired Persons NAACP, Urban League Guild, League of Women Voters, LINKS of Oklahoma City, Hannah's Helpers (Hannah Diggs-Atkins Political Campaign). Employment: Oklahoma City Public Schools - Pre-School Teacher-Retired. Benefee's Wedding and Upholstery- Retired. Street Department store, Langston University, State Capital of Oklahoma- Tour Guide. Life Departure: September 6, 2017. Survivors: Care takers and sons: Arthur Houston and Shun Walton, Bishop George (Larna) Scott (Brother), Charles Pollard (Tina), David Hawkins ( God Son), Deloris Riley (God Daughter), Maurice Benefee, Jr. ( Step Son), El Rosa (Metbzie) Benefee-Edwards (Step Daughter), and host of relatives. As a life time resident of the State of Oklahoma, Lillian Russell Benefee spent her life contributing to the lives of men, women and children through beautification and cultivating services in education and personal avocations in the work place. For over thirty years, Maurice and Lillian Benefee jointly provided marriage and bridal decorations and coordination to citizens statewide; particularly citizens from the north east side of Oklahoma City. Within their business ventures, they also provided homecoming decorations for legendary and historical Douglass High School as well Langston University. This contribution extended throughout the 1970's, and well into 2010. Within the wedding and decorating business, the Benefees' ran a successful custom drapery and upholstery operation fitting city wide home and business with furnishings to enhance and beautify their living and work place. As an educator with Oklahoma City Public School System, Mrs. Benefee primarily worked with preschool students in which she connected with students and parents in nurturing their creative talent through work and play. Mrs. Benefee continued her commitment in service by working as a tour guide for the State Capital of Oklahoma. Throughout her service as tour guide, she took great pride in providing individual guests and tour groups of highlights and historical information about the great state in which we reside. Mrs. Benefee also took an active part in political campaigns of Hannah Diggs-Atkins. In 1980, Lillian Benefee joined the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and became a life time member in which she participated and served on many community service projects.

?Safely Home ?

I am home in heaven, dear ones.
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is a perfect joy and beauty
in the everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in heaven at last.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand,
Do it now, while life remaineth...
You shall rest in God's own land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting
Oh, the joy to see you come!