Benita Tidwell-11-22-2025

With deep love and sorrow, the family of Benita Geneva (Hoyle) Tidwell announces her peaceful transition into eternal rest on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 1:10 a.m. After a long and courageous battle, her body grew weary and God, seeing she was ready, called her home to rest.

Benita was born on July 9, 1939, in Lawndale, North Carolina, to Frank Hardin and Lora Juanita Hoyle. Her mother later married Willie Clark, creating a blended and loving home that shaped Benita’s childhood. Through this union, she gained brothers who would remain central figures in her life She is survived by her brothers Cephus “Pee Wee” Clark and Wilbert “Bubby” Clark (Teresa), and was preceded in death by her brother Wendell “Winkie” Clark (Geraldine). Despite the physical distance between them, their bond was rooted in enduring love and remained a defining thread throughout her life, creating a lifelong network of support, laughter, and love.

At the age of fourteen, Benita moved to Plainfield, New Jersey, where she lived with her uncle, Robert Benjamin “RB” Hoyle. This move opened a new chapter filled with opportunity, community, and the relationships that would help define her life. After starting her education in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools in North Carolina, she completed her education in the Plainfield Public Schools and proudly graduated from Plainfield High School in 1957.

Benita possessed a remarkable blend of sharp intelligence, precision, and quiet determination. She became known for her extraordinary typing ability – an incredible 97 words per minute with zero errors. This gift led to a highly respected administrative career, with roles at Liberty Mutual Insurance, 3M Logistics, and several other professional offices where she was admired for her diligence, professionalism, and grace.

On February 5, 1970, Benita married Charlie Tidwell, Sr., with whom she shared love and companionship until his passing in 1983. Through her marriage, she embraced the Tidwell family as her own, forming lasting relationships with her brother-in-law Osborne Otis Jr. (Lillian) and her sisters-in-law Helen, (Robert Sr.) Lola, (Roscoe) and Mary, (Emmett) – all of whom preceded her in death. Benita was a devoted and loving mother to her sons David (Rhondelle), Brian (Tyhesha), and Michael (Diane). Her children were her pride and joy, and she poured wisdom, strength, humor, and unwavering love into each of them, and she lovingly embraced Charlie Jr. (Patricia) as her bonus son and her bonus daughter Linda who preceded her in death. As her family grew, she found immense joy in her grandchildren – Ayanna, Michael, Jahi, Jared, Melina, Joshua, Jocelyn and her step-grandchild Rose. They all brought brightness to her days, and she delighted in their accomplishments, their personalities, and every moment spent in their presence.

In her community, Benita emerged as a trusted leader. She served several terms as President of the Tenants Association during her time living at Sebastian Villa in Neptune and later as President of the Resident’s Council at Meridian/Complete Care nursing home facility. She was known for her fairness, steady voice, and genuine care for the residents she served, advocating for dignity, comfort, and connection.

Benita loved the simple pleasures that enriched her days – reading, lively conversation, Scrabble, word search puzzles, and the joy of exploring family history through stories and photographs. She was also a gifted cook, and her dishes became family traditions. Her iconic banana pudding with its “mile-high” meringue, her lasagna, fried chicken, homemade biscuits, and her son’s favorite of stewed tomatoes over those biscuits will forever remain part of the family’s memory. And let’s not forget her nails! She loved to pamper herself by having them painted, picking just the right color each time (but never red)!

To know Benita was to encounter strength wrapped in quiet elegance. She was protective, resilient, loving, and deeply rooted in her values. Her impact lives on in the lives she touched—her children, grandchildren, siblings, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends who were blessed to know her. This included the dedicated caregivers at the nursing home who became more than staff – Titi, Lisa, Donna, Ariel, Heather, Eileen, Frank, and Debbie among others. They became cherished friends through their attentive care and kindness which brought comfort to her family.

As her family releases her into God’s care, they celebrate not only a life well lived but the beautiful legacy she leaves behind and the promise of her joyful reunion with those who went before her.