time for many, Heaven has
gained a sweet soul in the
choir of angels.”
Adam Chapman, music
teacher at St. Vincent de Paul
High School in Long Beach
and minister of Music at
Holy Family Parish in Pass
Christian, agreed Wood’s as-
sessment.
“He was so supportive of
young church musicians and
liturgists,” said Chapman.
Deacon David Allen
called Benefield “one of the
very finest musicians in the
diocese.”
“His knowledge of vo-
cal and organ pedagogy was
stellar, and he was humble
enough of a servant to share
it freely, without ‘lording it
over’ anyone,” said Allen,
who is also an accomplished
church musician. “He was
my all-time favorite cantor in the diocese; my whole
diaconate class was so overjoyed when he agreed to
cantor our ordination Mass this past summer. He and I
shared joint organ gigs from time to time, and filled-in
for each other. I’ll truly miss his friendship and profes-
sionalism.”
Chapman added that Benefield “cared deeply about
the Church at prayer.”
“His whole life was dedicated to the mission of the
Second Vatican Council, that the church be one of full,
conscious, and active participation of the faithful. He
believed that music was like the monstrance, a way of
making perceptible the glory of God.”
Chapman said he’ll also remember Benefield for his
sense of humor.
“He told me one time, ‘You know Adam, some of
the Church music written these days sounds like it was
written by Peter, Paul, and Mary...not for Peter, Paul,
and Mary.’”
A devoted husband, father and doting grandfather,
Benefield is survived by four children, Elizabeth, Keen-
an, Patrick and Steven; and granddaughter, Kennedy.
Traffic accident claims the life of beloved
RCS music teacher, choir director
BY TERRY DICKSON
PASCAGOULA -- As
word of his tragic and un-
timely death spread through-
out the diocese, friends of
popular teacher and church
musician Kevin Benefield
took to social media to pay
tribute and offer words of
consolation to his family.
Benefield, music teacher
and choir director at Resur-
rection Catholic School, was
killed in a traffic accident on
Feb. 22 in D’Iberville. He
was 62.
Clearly, judging from the
volume of Facebook posts
dedicated to Benefield, his
death has left a huge void in
multiple circles. However,
friends and colleagues who
spoke to the
Gulf Pine Cath-
olic
said that, while they are
shocked and saddened by his sudden loss, they are com-
forted by memories of a man they described as kind and
loving with a big voice but an even bigger heart.
Dr. Rhonda Clark, diocesan assistant superinten-
dent of schools, said Catholic school administrators,
including Benefield’s wife, Elizabeth Benefield, who is
principal of Resurrection Elementary School, had just
returned from a retreat in Orange Beach, Alabama, for
which Benefield provided the music.
“Kevin was so kind and so talented,” she said. “We
always called on him to help with our school functions
and he was always willing. He provided the music for
opening school Mass before the schools opened each
year. He helped the children sing Christmas carols at the
Diocesan Christmas tree decorating. The administrators
had just returned from a retreat and Kevin was there
with them providing the music. He was very special.”
Kylie Leonard, who taught at Resurrection’s high
school campus, called Benefield an exceptional teacher.
“He had a knack for weaving humor and storytelling
throughout his lessons, and he treated each student with
equal respect and compassion,” she said. “He was es-
pecially mindful of students who may be overlooked or
unnoticed, and he took great care to establish a rapport
Kevin Benefield leads the singing during a Christmas tree decorating party at the Diocesan Pastoral
Center. The popular teacher and church musician died in a traffic accident on Feb. 22.
with the children who needed extra attention and love.
Kevin was able to pull talent out of the kids he taught,
talent they may not have known they had. He encour-
aged students who had never sung before to cantor at
school Masses and sing in the school choir. It was truly
a pleasure to watch him work, and the RCS community
is forever indebted to his commitment to our students
and staff. Our hearts and the school halls will be miss-
ing a wonderful man.”
Benefield, who taught in both public and private
schools, was a mentor to countless singers and musi-
cians, including Dana Woods, who played the guitar
with Benefield at Sacred Heart Church in Pascagoula.
“His musical talents and ministry touched the lives
of so many people,” she said. If you were to ask many
people what they remembered most about Kevin, you
will generally hear comments on his devotion to the
song ‘Ave Maria’. He played this song for so many
weddings and funerals. Anyone that had the opportu-
nity to hear this would leave their place of worship with
a greater devotion to Mary, the Mother of our Church.
Kevin was an inspiration to all whom he surrounded
and will continue to live on through the music of all
who minister in our Church. While this may be a sad
16
Gulf Pine Catholic
•
February 28, 2014
