Benalee (Mcclure) Shields

Benalee McClure Shields, 79, of Franklin, NC, passed away November 25, 2023.  She was born February 15, 1944 to the late Benjamin and Dessie McClure of Franklin, NC.

Benalee so dearly loved her children and grandchildren. She adored spending time with her family and friends. As hobbies she enjoyed traveling, genealogy, and detective shows.  She spoke often of her father's service in WWII as he served under General George Patton in the 5th Army Division, and her mother who was a nurse during the war. She was a dulciemer player who enjoyed playing for others and seeing the joy it brought. She also loved to gather up other friends to go to the Macon County Senior Center. Benalee was a faithful member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Bena Lee went to Mt. Holly High School, Franklin High School and Georgia State College where she earned her Bachelors Degree.  She worked as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone in her early years and also for Montgomery Ward as a model for clothing. She also worked for the Department of Health and Human Services. She retired after 23 years working as the computer systems manager for the US Forest Service.

She is survived by her daughter, Cindy K. Stewart (Ray) of Myrtle Beach, SC; sons, Keith Hagan (Tracy) of Franklin, NC and Ross Shields (Kathy) of Franklin, NC; grandchildren, Ben Hagan of Franklin, NC, Morgan Hagan (Dakota Mercer) of Franklin, NC; great-grandchildren, Joslynn, Gemma, Delilah Grace, Riggs, Briley, Braylan and Ensley; brother, Jerry McClure (Marie) of Otto, NC; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Terry Shields, and her sister, Nora June McClure.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Father Tien H. Duong officiating.  Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 till 7:00 pm Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at Bryant-Grant Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association, www.HEART.ORG.

Online condolences may be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Shields family.