Charlie Belle Hildreth Mrs. Benton

Mrs. Charlie Belle Hildreth Benton, 96, surrounded by her family, died Saturday, March 3, 2012 at Anson Community Hospital. Services will be 2:00pm Monday, March 5, 2012 at First Baptist Church, Wadesboro with Dr. Robert Hunter and Dr. Fred Senter officiating. Interment will follow in Anson Memorial Park. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service in the church parlor. Charlie Belle was born in Anson County, NC April 26, 1915, a daughter of the late Arthur and Connie Gaddy Hildreth. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her youngest sister, Agnes Hildreth Wall and by a grandson, Michael Andrew Davison. She grew up in Wadesboro and a graduate of Wadesboro High School, class of 1935. This is where she enjoyed being a member of the Interpretive Dancing, French, and Travelers Clubs. She also played basketball and baseball. She then continued her education at Wingate Baptist College, where she studied business administration and graduated working in the office at the college. She was a bookkeeper for Cox lumber company working with her father who enjoyed a life in the timber business. Later she worked with the Agriculture Stabilization Conservations Service where she stayed until retirement. Charlie Belle was a faithful member of the First Baptist church, where she was active until her 90's. She was fourteen years old when she marched with the first members in 1929, to open the new church, singing 'Onward Christian Soldiers' that is now located on Lee Avenue in Wadesboro. She enjoyed a life-long fellowship with her church family worshipping and singing praises unto her Lord. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Joanne and Victor Larsen of Wadesboro; her grandson, Patrick Larsen of St. Albans, WV and her nieces and nephews and their families. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 423, Wadesboro, NC 28170. The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.leavittfuneralhomewadesboro.com