Susie Mae Laing was born March 20, 1939 in Garfield, Georgia to the late Amos Sr. and Leila Bennefield. The family relocated to Vero Beach, Florida when Susie was a young child.
Susie peacefully departed this life on December 19, 2019, She was preceded in death by both of her parents; brothers, John Lewis Jr., Amos Bennefield Jr., and Drolly Bennefield; sisters, Tevis Bennefield, Dora Hunter, Maggie Lee Burch, and Leila Forbes.
Susie’s favorite color was life. She loved life. She would say each day was a gift from God and she lived life each day to the fullest. She encouraged others to do the same. She was also a snazzy dresser. She was known to create one of a kind outfits for each holiday. She had a green thumb. She was called the “Plant Whisperer” by family. She could revitalize any dying plant with just plain old TLC. One of her favorite songs was “Give Me My Flowers While I Live.” When asked why, she would say, “cause when you’re dead, you can’t see the colors or smell the fragrance.”
She loved to travel. Susie was always giving back to people in the community. She volunteered on the Salvation Army’s canteen, was a bell ringer and the disaster team providing hurricane relief to those in need. Susie was rewarded as a volunteer of the year at the Salvation Army of the Vero Beach Core.
Family First was Susie’s mantra. Susie was devoted to her family. She was known as Ms. Fix-It. She never missed a birthday or holiday event, She was known to stage a sit in when a loved one was hospitalized, sometimes spending the entire stay sleeping on the hospital chair.
Left to cherish her memories are her devoted daughters, Gloria and Pearline McKenzie; son, Alvin Wiggins; grandsons, Brian(Alexis)Powell and Brandon McKenzie; great-grandson, Eli McKenzie; sisters, Ernestine Wiggins and Margarett(Glen)Kelly; brothers, Lem Bennefield Sr., Samuel Kelly Jr., and Bobby Usher, and a host of other family members and sorrowing friends that will miss her dearly.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you please donate to the following organizations: Salvation Army World on Fire Ministry House of God, Pillar Ground and Truth
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at 11:00 at the chapel. Interment will take place at Gifford Cemetery.
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