Thomas Benefield

Thomas Lawson Benefield, age 54, of Decatur, Georgia, passed away on May 21, 2025.

Thomas was born on June 23, 1970, in Decatur, to Elizabeth and Phillip Benefield. He graduated from Lakeside High School in 1988, then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia, his teaching certification from Mercer University, and his Master of Elementary Education from Phoenix University. His career in education spanned 28 years, during which he was honored with a Fernbank Teacher of the Year award for 2006-2007.

Teaching was Thomas's passion. He began as a paraprofessional at Barrow Elementary School in Athens, Georgia. From there, he returned to DeKalb County and continued as a paraprofessional at Redan and Rowland Elementary Schools until receiving his teaching certificate. In 2001, he took a position as a fifth-grade teacher at Fernbank Elementary. At the time, he was the only male teacher on staff, instantly making him something of a rock star. Over 13 years, he taught fifth and fourth grade and later served as the computer teacher. Eventually, he moved to Trinity School, where he rekindled his passion for teaching language arts to fifth graders. It was here that he embraced the memorable role of "Bubbles the Elf" in the holiday program. Even when illness made the demands of lead teaching too much, Thomas embraced a return to his roots as a paraprofessional with characteristic humility and joy. One of the most challenging and disappointing parts of his cancer journey was having to retire early.

Oak Grove United Methodist Church was a central location in Thomas's life as a child, where he participated in scouts, choir, sports, and youth fellowship. As an adult, he regularly volunteered with both the children's and youth ministries. He could often be found in front of a group of children, reading books, playing guitar, facilitating games, selling Christmas trees, mentoring confirmands, or leading a group of hesitant high school boys for D Group. He rarely turned down a request for help, especially when someone needed extra encouragement.

Another lifelong love was swimming. Thomas swam competitively for the Pangborn summer league and Lakeside High School. He passed this enthusiasm to his daughters, who swam for Pangborn, Emory, and Briarcliff Woods-Sagamore Barracudas. During his parenting years, he volunteered at meets, often as the announcer, until 2019, when he became the Barracudas' coach.

Over the past five years, Thomas found true joy in coaching the swim team. He understood the spirit and value of community summer league swimming. It wasn't always about having the best times or winning the race. For him, the heart of the program lay in welcoming young swimmers into the sport, helping them learn strokes, and inspiring a lasting love of the water. His dedication earned him the ASA Coach of the Year Award in 2022.

Thomas will be remembered for his generous spirit, infectious enthusiasm, and unwavering belief in the potential of every child, human, and furry friend he met.

Thomas is survived by his wife of 25 years, Anna; his two daughters, Ramona and Corinne; his brother, Phillip Benefield and his sister-in-law, Kim; his aunt Mary Alice Wood; and his cousin, Lee Ann O'Brien. He is also remembered fondly by his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Mike and Allison Bertram, and Jeff and Terri McNeill; and Ramona's fiancé, Caden Fluegge.

He is also survived by his nine nieces and nephews: Mary, Rebecca, Katherine, Andrew, Glenn, Sydney, Jaqueline, Grant, and Virginia. Additionally, he is survived by his father- and mother-in-law, Scott and Julie Stevenson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip and Elizabeth Benefield.

A visitation will take place Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in Grand Hall at Oak Grove UMC. A service will be held Friday, May 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Oak Grove UMC Sanctuary.

We ask that everyone come dressed to represent your personal "Team Benefield" connection. If you knew Thomas, you were part of his Team; from Fernbank to Trinity, Lakeside to Druid Hills, the Barracudas to the Pangborn Piranhas, and obviously, Marvel or DC, feel free to represent that in your clothes, shoes, and accessories.

If you'd like to watch the service from home, you can livestream it or watch it at another time via this link.

Notes/Cards:

Send to A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home

2773 N. Decatur Rd

Decatur, Ga 30033

Memorials:

Andrew Ethridge Scholarship Fund or OGUMC Youth Mountaintop Fund

1722 Oak Grove Rd

Decatur, GA 30033

https://ogumc.org/donate/memorials/

We ask that you consider supporting Ramona's Relay for Life Team and his music partner Bill Ramsey's Song for Kids campaign, both to come later this year.