Carole Ann Benningfield

Carole Ann Benningfield, age 81, of Claymont, DE passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

Mrs. Benningfield lived her early childhood years in Chester, Pennsylvania where at the age of 4, she met and played with a 4-year-old neighborhood little boy named Earl.  A little boy who would someday become her future husband.

Later in her childhood, she moved to Claymont, Delaware and graduated from Claymont High School.   She and Earl met again as teenagers while visiting friends from her old neighborhood.  They began dating and later were married.   While he was serving in the United States Navy, she worked at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company until she started a family.

Through the years while caring for her own 3 children, she also helped to care for her young niece and nephew, provided care for her parents when they became ill, and looked after her grandchildren, whom she loved like they were her own.

Along with her always wanting to help and support others, she had a strong love for animals.  In addition to the love she had for her own dogs, she provided a home for the rescue dogs her husband Earl would bring home that otherwise would have been homeless or abandoned.

On holidays, while providing meals for her own family, she would prepare and deliver platters for friends and neighbors who she knew would be alone for the holiday.

Saturdays were always her Garage Sale Days, where she would meet up with friends and find her many treasures.

Carole is survived by her sister Betty Schreiner, daughters Betty Golden and Tammy Marek; son Brandon Lee Benningfield, as well as six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  It was obvious to her children that she was their gift of an incredible mom sent from heaven.

The love of Carole’s life, Earl, passed away in 2022.  They were married for 59 years and the family takes comfort knowing they are now reunited in heaven.