Mary Elizabeth Cole Benware, 88, of Columbia, died on Friday, October 25, 2024. Born on December 26, 1935, in Gouverneur, New York, she was a daughter of the late Paul Robinson Cole and Susan Ione Hitchman Cole. Mrs. Beware loved her family immensely and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an avid reader, liked to crochet, and watch NASCAR. Prior to her retirement, she was employed for more than 20 years for Jones Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Winchester, Virginia. Mrs. Benware moved to Statesville, NC in 2021, and later to Columbia, SC in 2023.

Survivors include her children, Dale Arthur Benware (Linda), Roderick Emil Benware (Jill), and Noralyne Ione Mullen (Lawrence); grandchildren, Joshua Mullen (Johnna), Lawrence Mullen, Jr. (Jordan), Michael Mullen, Katelyn Rinaldi, and Adam Benware (Courtney); great grandchildren, Amillia Rinaldi, Lawrence "Trip" Mullen, III, Nicholas-Kai Curtis, Lydia Mullen, and Vincent Mullen as well as her brother, Kenneth Cole (Darlene). She also leaves behind her brother-in-law, William Hawn and sisters-in-law, Darlene Cole and Denice Cole. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roderick Clarence Benware; brothers, Timothy Cole and Paul Cole; and her sister, Margaret Hawn.

A celebration of life for Mrs. Benware will be held privately.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.