Dusty Spragio Benfield

Dusty Spragio Benfield, 63, was born on Ash Wednesday February 19, 1947. She attended Sacred Heart Girls High School and graduated in 1965. She met the love of her life Rick Benfield while singing in the band where he played the drums. They were married on June 18th, 1965 for 40 years until he departed from this world in 2005. Dusty was interested in painting, gardening, gambling, poetry, dancing, and singing. She was a licensed cosmetologist and volunteered at Nativity BVM Cathedral. She had an extraordinary love for her pets, Scooter, Gidget, Sampson and Gabby. She was employed at numerous places including First Federal Bank in Biloxi, instructor at Chris’ Beauty College, teacher’s assistant at Dukate Elementary, The President Casino, and lastly Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. Dusty died suddenly on Saturday, October 23, 2010 in Gulfport, MS., where she was surrounded by many friends and family during her brief illness in the hospital. She is preceded in death by her parents, Miriam L. Fountain and Royal J. Spragio and a sister Susan Spragio Brewer. She was sister to, Royal J. Spragio, Jr. (Sharon) and Gwen Spragio Gilbert (Jeff) both of Biloxi, MS.; Aunt to Tammy R. Beam, Cyndi B. Roberts, Royal J. Spragio, III, Robyn S. Schaar, April W. Everett, and Scott M. Williamson; great-aunt to Mark Mattina and Kevin Beam; Sister-in-law to Keith “Kip” Benfield (Diane) and Barbara Morgan. Although she never had children, she loved all children as if they were her own and watched many of them grow into successful adults. Everyone admired her, respected her opinion and looked to her for advice. Anyone that ever met Dusty fell in love with her for a lifetime. She will be truly missed by everyone whose life she touched. She had a special love of all animals and the family suggests in lieu of flowers, donations be made on her behalf to the Humane Society of South MS, 2615 25th Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501 or to the American Heart Association, Greater Southern Affiliate, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 27, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. with a Memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m., all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. A private interment will take place at a later date.