Freddy Don Benningfield, 1942–2023
“Remember you’re representing your Benningfield family,” “Nothing good ever happens past midnight,” “Two wrongs don’t make a right” were just a small handful of sayings that Don, a.k.a. Uncle Doc, Sonny Boy, Daddy Don, Pa, Sug and Daddy, used before finishing his 80-year adventure on June 4, 2023, at home surrounded by family.
Don was born on September 7, 1942, in Merkel, Texas, to Sidney Clarence and Zelma Benningfield. He started his elementary school years in a basement of the Baptist church in Sterling City, Texas. He continued his schooling in Clairemont and Jayton in Kent County. Don had several loves including horses, truck driving, and Harley Davidson. He married his true love, Delane “Doty” on May 27, 1966. Don cowboyed on various ranches, beginning at the age of 10 breaking colts. He also was a truck driver and worked for the Kent County road crew. Don is now on horseback watching his heifers in tall green grass with blue skies.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elsie Delane Benningfield, Snyder, Texas; two daughters and sons-inlaw, Brenna Rene Smith and husband Luther Bradly, Mertzon, Texas; Samantha Cass Sawyer and husband Anthony Scott Holland, Carlsbad, Texas; two sons and daughters-in-law; Morgan Wade Benningfield and wife Apryl Dawn, Lubbock, Texas; Jeffrey Clay Benningfield and wife Tiffany Dior, San Angelo, Texas; fourteen grandchildren, Stephen Dale Styron, Chaz Brody Carr, Carah Ouillette, Sophia Grace Evaro, Isaiah Robert Evaro, Clinton Brice Smith (“Babe”), Branson Wyatt Smith (“Hoss”), Caitlyn Nicole Allen (“Miss Kitty”), Bradey Benning Allen (“Bud”), Grayson Cash Holland, Bronson Scott Holland, Hayes Paul Holland, Elliott Wade Benningfield, and Emerson Thomas Benningfield; five great-grandchildren, Jaydee Mae Smith, Cole Reece Smith, Landon Reid Smith, Paisley Grace Smith, and Hadley Rae Smith; and several nieces and nephews, including special niece Mani (Davis) Foster and family of Clairemont, Texas.
Pallbearers were Clay Benningfield, Stephen Styron, Morgan Benningfield, Brad Smith, Brice Smith, Branson Smith, Scotty Holland and Bradey Allen.
A graveside service for Mr. Benningfield was held on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Clairemont Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home.
Please donate to accentCare hospice out of Lubbock, Texas.
