Verona Rosalia McCarthy

Verona R. McCarthy, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the evening of Wednesday, May 13, 2020. She was born on August 24, 1930 in Middletown, New York, but lived for many years in Alexandria, Virginia, before moving to Tallahassee to be close to her family that lived in Florida. Ronnie, as she was affectionately called, graduated from The College of New Rochelle, New York and was a schoolteacher/tutor for many years. Afterwards she worked for the Federal Government, as a Civil Servant, before finally owning and operating a cleaning business called The Mt. Vernon Cleaning Team, where she cleaned offices, churches and private residences. She was also a Red Cross volunteer in S.E. Asia during the Vietnam War and did Art Therapy with Forensic patients as a volunteer at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital outside of Washington, D.C. She loved to read, work among the flowers and ornamental plants surrounding her home, prepare sumptuous meals for family and friends, cross-country ski, play tennis and swim in her pool. The proficiency she showed at tennis, her favorite sport, enabled her to play tennis with John Wayne’s wife when the actor was on set at Ft. Benning, Georgia, during the filming of the movie, The Green Berets, in the late sixties. Ronnie loved to live life to the fullest and especially enjoyed taking annual trips with her grandchildren, to the beach or Disney World, after she became semi-retired. She was blessed to become a great-grandmother, at the age of 88, and to be able to hold her great-grandchild was a special treat for her. She had a strong Christian faith and openly acknowledged the role of God in her long life. Ronnie is survived by an older sister: Gloria Mayer, of Middletown, New York, a son: Ramon Benton, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Evangaline, of Tallahassee, Florida, a daughter: Carey Schmack and son-in-law, Alan, of Fernandina Beach, Florida, four grandchildren: Ramon Benton III and his wife, Shalom, of Tallahassee, Evan Benton of Alexandria, Virginia, Raja Benton of Tallahassee, Camren Schmack of Fernandina Beach and one great-grandson: Skye Benton, of Tallahassee. Ronnie was predeceased by her youngest child, Christopher Benton of Alexandria, Virginia. She leaves behind other extended family members who were close to her, as well as close friends whom she’d known for many years. She was blessed to be able to enjoy a life that was well lived! She will be missed, but many memories of wonderful times spent with her will always remain vivid! ***Please note that a Memorial Service / Celebration of her life will be held at later date in Virginia. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements

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Verona Rosalia McCarthy

August 24, 1930 - May 13, 2020