Benita Capps Lawrence

Dr. Benita Capps Lawrence passed away peacefully in the arms of her family on Thursday, January 30, 2025. Benita was a force of fierce love in this world and she used her significant intellect, kindness, and strength to bolster her family, serve her community, and navigate a myriad of medical complexities that were a constant in her adult life.

A celebration of her life will be held 3:00 PM Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at Mt. Carmel Global Methodist Church with Reverend Tim James officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:45 PM prior to the service at the church. 

Benita caught the eye of her beloved Barry while singing in the Mt. Carmel Church choir. They began dating in middle school and married when she graduated from Ruffin High School in 1972. Their love story is one for the ages. Married for 52 years, they built a life and marriage that was Christ-centered and full of adventures together. 

Benita dedicated her professional life to public education, earning her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was always an outstanding student and scholar. She went on to serve as an elementary classroom teacher at Central Elementary, an assistant principal at Western Rockingham Middle School, and at Summerfield Elementary, and a principal at Gibsonville Elementary and Monticello-Browns Summit Elementary. She also served as a leader in NCAE and on state-wide education advisory boards. Benita mentored countless teachers, staff, and young professionals during her career and was well respected and beloved by her work family. 

While her professional accomplishments were significant, anyone who knew Benita knew her greatest priority and love was her family. She and her brother, Jay Capps, remained close throughout their lives. Benita and Barry spent their lives pouring into their children, instilling a commitment to God, modeling a Christ-centered marriage, and making sure they supported a variety of Cindy and Bryan’s interests. Whether it was rodeo and fishing or dance and theater, she was always there cheering her children on. She was invested in making sure her children were supported in their educational pursuits and was proud of the paths they chose. 

Her granddaughters were among her greatest joys. She never missed a school event or performance and loved them fiercely. She was a constant in their lives. In addition to being the most excellent Nana, she created brilliant stories for them, taught them to bake, supported their interests, and spent countless hours helping them with homework and tutoring. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jarvis and Ruth Capps and sister, Millie Chambers.

She is survived by her husband, the love of her life, Barry Lawrence; her daughter, Cindy Lawrence Barr, and husband, Pete, of Blowing Rock, NC; and son, Bryan Lawrence, and partner, Brandy Glasgow, of Ruffin, NC; brother Jay Capps and wife Nancy; granddaughters, Alex and Abby Barr; and numerous loving family members in the Lawrence and Strader families. 

In lieu of flowers, Benita requested donations be made to the Mt. Carmel Global Methodist Church Scholarship Fund, 361 Mt Carmel Church Rd., Reidsville, NC 27320. (336)939-9115