Lee A. Benningfield, Sr.

Lee A. Benningfield Sr. was set free on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, to go home to be with Jesus.  The loss the family feels is immeasurable, but they are happy for him to be reunited with his mom, dad, and brother in heaven.

Lee was born September 20, 1952 in Chester, PA to the late Earl R. Benningfield and Elizabeth "Betty" Allen Benningfield.  Lee graduated from Chester High School in 1970. He came to Delaware for work and quickly found it at Burger Chef. There he met his wife, winning her over playing songs on the record player he brought to the restaurant.  He began his career with Wilmington Suburban Water Company in 1972.  For the past 17 years, he happily worked at the Delaware Department of Transportation, where he served as the New Castle County Traffic Sign Installation Supervisor. He was the hardest working man you will ever meet.

Lee was a dedicated family man and always made sure his wife and four children never went without. He had a great love of music that he shared with his family, delighting them by playing rock and roll classics and 1950s-through-1980s favorites on the weekends at concert-level volume. His extensive musical knowledge made him the original "Shazam."  He also loved to drive - anywhere and anytime. He took great pride in the care of his vehicles throughout the years, from his '56 Chevy, to his Barracuda, to his F-150. Lee enjoyed the solitude granted to him while mowing the lawn, but happily turned those reins over to his grandson, Jack.  His favorite title was "Pop," and he was in his element any time he could make his grandkids laugh, which was every time he saw them.  He had a special connection with his granddaughter Georgianna, "Pop's little princess." He was proud to pass his name down to his grandson, LB3. Lee also had a soft spot for dogs; the Benningfield household could never go very long without one before Dad would "find" a pup that needed a family.

A diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan, he spent many years yelling at the TV (and Buddy Ryan), but he was overcome with joy when they finally won their first Super Bowl. A hand drawn Eagles picture from his grandson, Luke, was one of his prized possessions.  Additionally, Lee had a great love for Christmas and had a special affinity for Santa Claus.

Remaining to cherish Lee's memory are: the love of his life, his devoted wife of 53 years, Ann; his sons: Lee A. Benningfield Jr. and his wife Michelle, and Earl F. Benningfield; his daughters: Brianna L. Shields and her husband Jon, and Elyce Benningfield; his grandchildren: Lee A. Benningfield III ("LB3") of Blades, DE; Maggie, Jacob, Nathan, and Matthew Benningfield of Rising Sun, MD; and Jack, Luke, and Georgianna Shields of Wilmington DE; his brother: Robert "Bobby" Benningfield of Palm Coast, FL; his sister: Lynne Corish (Michael) of Langhorne, PA; his nieces and nephews: Betty Golden, Lee R. Benningfield, Tammy Marek, Laura Bickel, Michael Corish, Michele Evans, Clyde Benningfield, Heather Grant, Justin Smith, Chase Smith, and Annette Smith; and the very many friends he made by chatting with people wherever he went.

He is preceded in death by his parents, dear brother Earl "Butch" Benningfield, nephew Daniel J. Smith, stepfather Emil "Joe" Ligenza, and his beloved German Shepherd, Darby.

There will be a visitation at Doherty Funeral Home on Limestone Road, Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph's on the Brandywine Catholic Church on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Lee's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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