Bessie Ray Benfield Davis

Bessie Benfield Davis of Asheville went home to the Lord on October 23, 2009. Born in Haywood County, she was 100 years old and lived most of her life in Buncombe County. She devoted her life to being a wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker to her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Ida Britt Benfield, her husband of 50 years, Wendell Holmes Davis, and a daughter, Evelyn May Davis. Bessie leaves behind a daughter, June Davis O’Connor. She was “Grandma” to two grandchildren, Michael H. O’Connor and wife, Donna, Carol O’Connor Dymond of Marion, and seven great-grandchildren: Leah O’Connor Cole and husband Jason of Old Fort; M. Josh O’Connor; Jason G. O’Connor; Nathan J. O’Connor and wife Stacy; Caleb D. O’Connor; Dena Dymond Anders and husband Leonard of Barnardsville; Matt W. Dymond of Marion. She was also “Grandma” to eight great-great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, at 4:30 p.m., at Green Hills Cemetery. Her grandson, Michael O’Connor will officiate. Great-grandsons and the granddaughter’s husbands will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Care-Partners Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.