SMYRNA - Beatrice I. Benfield, of Smyrna, passed away at her home on February 27, 2014. She was born on August 27, 1926 and was the youngest of eight children. Mrs. Benfield was a beautician for 40 years, owning and managing several shops in the Kent County area. She also owned several horses and was active in the harness racing industry for many years. She lived in Florida for several years, and enjoyed vacationing and spending time there. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry E. Benfield; her mother, Ida Mae Clendaniel and her father, James Henry McBride; two brothers, James E. and Raymond H. McBride; four sisters, Wricha L. Glanden, Elizabeth McBride, Minnie E. Freeman, and Viola P. Young; and her son-in-law John H. Hurd. She is survived by a daughter, Beverly Hurd; a son, Eugene Startt, and his wife Charlotte; a sister Beulah M. Penuel; two granddaughters, Lisa Startt, and Jacquelyn Rooney and husband Lewis; two grandsons John Hurd III and his fiancée Dedrea; and Jacob Startt; Great-Grandchildren Wade Heverin Jr., Jack Heverin, Alexandra Heverin, and Brian Kain; a niece Beronica Moore and husband Presley; a nephew Raymond McBride and wife Sharon and their daughter Jessie McBride; two great nieces, Myra Carey and husband Robert and their son Robby Carey; and Karen Moore. Services will be held 12:00 PM Saturday March 8 at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, with a viewing at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna. To send a condolence letter, visit www.matthewsbryson.com. Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.