A. M. "Rip" Benefield, Jr.

Local land surveyor, Alwin Melzin Benefield, Jr., succumbed to a lengthy battle with renal cancer on April 18, 2018, at his home in Queen City, Texas. He was better known as "Rip" to friends and family. Mr. Benefield received that nickname while playing high school football for the Queen City Bulldogs, where he literally "ripped" down the football field carrying the football for a touchdown. Rip was a lifetime resident of the Ark-La-Tex area and a member of the Queen City United Methodist Church. Mr. Benefield was also a veteran of the U. S. Army National Guard, serving his country in active duty during the Berlin Crisis. Rip was an avid horseman and had served as President of the Texarkana Boots and Saddle Club, where he and his family were members for many years. He was an outdoorsman who also enjoyed gardening with his family. After retiring from the District 19 Highway Department of Texas as Maintenance Supervisor and District Roadway Superintendent, he continued to serve the community in many additional capacities. Besides being a well-respected public land surveyor with a current license, he was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Atlanta Lions Club. Rip was also a member of the Atlanta, Texas Masonic Lodge #463 and had attained the prestigious levels of Past Worshipful Master, 32nd Degree of the Scottish Right, and Shriner. He was raised on February 7, 1977 and remained active for 41 years. Mr. Benefield was politically involved as well, having served in a prestigious capacity on Texas Governor Rick Perry's Financial Advisory Committee, also known as the Council of Governments. Rip was also a director on the Board of Directors for the Cass County Appraisal District. In addition, he was recently reelected for an additional two-year term to the Queen City City Council. Mr. Benefield was a contributing member of the community his entire life. Rip was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Ann Clements Benefield, who passed away on January 26, 2007. Mr. Benefield was the oldest son of Alwin Melzin Benefield, Sr., and Lucy Mae Oldham Benefield. He had one brother, L.C."Taps" Benefield, and two older sisters, Lucy Benefield Lee Rosser and Dona Benefield Schoppe Wheat. All preceded him in death. Rip has two daughters. They are Pamela Benefield Wilson, and husband Bobby Neil Wilson Jr., of Hendersonville, Tennessee; and Marcy Benefield Cash, and husband Tommy Cash of Hendersonville, Tennessee. He has three grandchildren: Jeannie Ann Dodd Taylor of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Gary Edward Dodd, Jr., and wife Amanda Dodd of Queen City, Texas, and Erin Wilson Ensley and husband Jacob Ensley of Cottontown, Tennessee. Mr. Benefield is also survived by six great grandchildren:  Ashton Taylor, Kayleigh Taylor, Owen Dodd, Brandon Taylor, Jordan Taylor, and Sadie Dodd. Funeral services will be 9:00 am, Saturday, April 21, 2018 in the Hanner Funeral Chapel with Bro. John Burchell officiating. Visitation will be in Friday, April 20, 2018 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Hanner Funeral Service. Interment will be in Queen City Cemetery. Guest registry is available at www.hannerfuneralservice.com