Ms. Benefield, 79 years of age and a resident of Natchitoches, passed away Saturday, January 12, 2013 in Shreveport. She was born February 3, 1933 to Lawrence and Corinne Carnahan. Dorothy attended the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was a loving mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Dorothy graduated from Northwestern State College, now University, in 1954 with a BA in Library Science/Education. She graduated in 1971 from NSU with a Master’s in Education. She retired from Natchitoches Parish School Board as a teacher/school librarian with over 30 years of service. Dorothy loved to travel and was active in numerous civic organizations, as well as the Alpha Chi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She was an avid bridge player and achieved the rank of Life Master.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Corinne Carnahan; and Billy Benefield, Sr.

Survivors include her brother, Lawrence Carnahan, Jr. (Betty); children, Billy Benefield, Jr. (Carolyn), Brian Benefield, Sr. (Colleen), and Julie Johnson (Brian). She was blessed with 7 grandchildren, Justin Benefield, Katherine Benefield, Stephen Benefield, Brian Benefield, Jr., Colton Possoit, Jacob Johnson, Ashley Johnson, Grant Johnson as well as numerous nieces and nephews and a special friend, Conrad Neel.

Her grandsons will proudly serve as pallbearers. They include: Justin Benefield, Stephen Benefield, Brian Benefield, Jr., Colton Possoit, Jacob Johnson and Grant Johnson.

In lieu of floral arrangements, the family requests donations in Ms. Benefield’s name are made to the Hope for Paws in Natchitoches, Natchitoches Hope for Paws, PO Box 2552, Natchitoches, LA 71457, natchitocheshopeforpaws@yahoo.com or to DOVES, Inc., P.O. Box 1277, Natchitoches, LA 71457