Natisse D. Benefield

On a chilly January day in 1965–the 18th to be exact–Natisse Develle Benefield, a bundle of joy, was born to the young couple Willie Sue Flowers and Lamar Benefield.  She was a native of Donalsonville, Georgia.

“Lady T”, as she was affectionately known, participated in FBLA, chorus and literary team during her years at Seminole County High School.  She enjoyed skating in her free time.  She found much pleasure in singing in the Youth Choir and leading the Youth Department at Live Oak African Methodist Episcopal Church.  Natisse also enjoyed laughing with family and friends, as well as music, dancing, food and life in general.

She graduated in the spring of 1983 from Seminole County High School.  In the fall of ‘83, she left Donalsonville for Albany State College with several classmates in tow.  Unfortunately, she was left no choice except withdrawing due to a personal illness.  She quickly created new plans to live with her beloved auntie Hazel May “Booney” Flowers in St. Petersburg, Florida, applying for a local job there; however, her intuition told her to leave for Atlanta, Georgia.  Living in Atlanta during the mid 1980's, she worked with the Department of Internal Revenue Service, attended clerical school at night and enjoyed her new big-city lifestyle.

She returned in her mid-twenties and remained in Donalsonville to care for her beloved grandmother Eva “Ma Soul” Lyons.  On June 12, 1990, she gave birth to a rambunctious baby boy, Sherraun Benefield.  She later birthed a precious baby girl, Jimmyquia Faison, on January 13, 1995, being born a mere five days before her own birthday–a beautiful early birthday present.

Natisse’s children were her gifts from GOD.  Meanwhile, she was certainly a gift to all those who had the pure joy of knowing her.  She was our blessing, our angel.  How soon HE calls all HIS angels Home.  Like the saying goes, “We wanted her with us, but GOD wanted her with HIM even more”.  Our lives are not our own; our lives were bought with a price, and JESUS paid it all.

Natisse departed her earthly life on Friday, July 14, 2023.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Lamar and Willie Sue Benefield; grandmother, Eva Lyons; a special auntie, Hazel May Flowers; a special uncle, Lewis James Flowers; a stepfather, John Worlds; the love of her life, Jimmy Faison; a special friend, John Arthur Cheatem; and three additional uncles.

She leaves to cherish her memories her son, Sherraun Moldavia Patterson “Man” Benefield; daughter, Jimmyquia Alexis-Devanae “Meme” Faison; special stepson, Cornealius “Neal” Faison; five aunts: Ronida Stone, Patricia Black (Alphonso), Marilyn Bell, Babbette Stone, and Maxine Williams; a special friend, Dorethea Powell; and a host of stepsisters, stepbrothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, godsiblings, godchildren and friends.