Benie King

Benie Lou King, 74, of Middletown, Maryland, passed away on August 26, 2025, at Kline Hospice House in Mount Airy, Maryland.

Benie was born to Lewis and BeBe Lasher on July 13, 1951, in Aurora, Colorado. In the early 1960s, her family moved to Maryland, where she grew up in Aspen Hill.

Benie dedicated more than 35 years to Montgomery County Public Schools. She began as a part time teachers’ assistant and advanced through roles, including financial secretary and IT specialist, ultimately serving as a high school business manager. She did it all without a college degree. People trusted her because she worked hard, learned fast, and could figure anything out. She retired in 2015 due to health.

Her motto was simple: she believed she could, so she did. Rich often said it because it was exactly how Benie lived. As her health declined, he cared for her every day until the very end.

That devotion was at the heart of their story. Benie met Rich through a close mutual friend when she was just 16. At the time, he was attending Montgomery Junior College, and they were introduced at a mixer. She graduated from high school in June of 1969, and Rich proposed that summer at the beach. They were married four months later, on November 8, 1969. They lived in Montgomery County, where their first son, Brian, was born, before moving to their first home in Poolesville, Maryland. While living there, they welcomed their daughter, Stephanie and continued raising their family. Later, when their children were in their teens, they moved to Middletown, Maryland, which became home for the next chapter of their family life.

Family was the center of Benie’s life. She became “Mimi” in 2008, when her daughter Stephanie and son-in-law Eric welcomed her first grandchild, Dylan. Her second grandchild, Lyla, was born in 2010, and her son Brian later welcomed her youngest grandchild, Blu, in 2012. She loved being Mimi and was her grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader. She rarely missed a game and cherished the everyday moments just as much, including playing board games, trips to the park, and hosting pool parties.

A natural planner, she loved hosting. She and Rich opened their pool to everyone, often gathering a crowd for good conversation, music, and laughter. She loved music and dancing, and she always looked put together, right down to her shoes. A talented seamstress, she made clothes for her children and created unforgettable Halloween costumes. She also loved baking Christmas cookies with her grandchildren and spending time on the deck at their home.

She enjoyed skiing, riding roller coasters, fishing, and being with others. In her 50s, she developed a passion for fitness and could often be found completing a 10K. More than anything, she loved good company and made it easy for people to feel at home around her.

She and Rich built a life full of laughter and loyalty, and they found the most joy in the simple, everyday moments. She was especially close to her late sisters’ families, and she treasured time together, including visits to Las Vegas and trips to her sister’s beach house in New Smyrna. She was close with her extended family, her husband’s family, and her adopted family in Delaware through her son-in-law, Eric. She treasured her close group of friends she affectionately called “the sorority,” a constant source of support and laughter. She loved birthdays, especially celebrating everyone’s, and stayed connected with friends from Poolesville, Middletown, and the school community.

She loved to travel, visiting Bermuda, Anguilla, Aruba, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, Cabo, and Cancun. She also enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas, Colorado, and California. A true beach lover, she spent many vacations in Ocean City, New Smyrna Beach, and Key West.

She is survived by her husband, Rich; her son, Brian King; her daughter, Stephanie Rafail (Eric Rafail); and her grandchildren, Dylan Rafail, Lyla Rafail, and Blu King. She was preceded in death by her sisters.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Hospice of Frederick and Kline Hospice House in Mount Airy for their compassionate care and support during Benie’s final days. They are also grateful to all who visited, called, and kept Benie and the family in their thoughts.