She was the one with the smile. Her smile was so bright that you could see it for miles. Her smile is what gave warmth to those that loved her. Her smile is what people loved about her. Her smile was a smile that could assure there was no trouble. "Have No Fear" her smile would say.

Essie Victoria Jones Benekin Guest, daughter of the late Robert Jones and Rachel Anderson Jones, was born July 23,1936, in Pineville, South Carolina. She departed this life on Monday, August 8, 2022, in Pineville, SC.

Victoria was a lifelong member of Messiah Reformed Episcopal Church where she served faithfully until death. She served in the following capacities:  Senior Missionary Society, Senior Choir, Sunday School Teacher, Class Leader, and the Vestry Board. She was the President of Messiah's Women of the Church.

She was also very active in the Diocese of the Southeast of the Reformed Episcopal Church where she served as Upper Berkeley Convocation Chairperson for the Missionary Convention for several years.

She was faithful in her community and served as President of the Pineville-Eadytown Committee and was also a member of the Community Prayer Band. Victoria was a longtime Manager/Member of the United Gospel Singers of Pineville, SC.

Victoria was a woman who loved the Lord, and she showed it through her worship, ministry of singing, and her daily life living. She never met a stranger that she did not welcome into her home. Her love for people was sweet and genuine, she would do anything for anyone. There was always room at her table, she loved to cook , and oh could she cook!

She was affectionately known to all as 'Ms. Victoria' and was considered a mother, grandmother, and auntie to all who knew her. Her two grandsons, Tyler and Titus, were her heart.

Victoria graduated from Russellville High School in 1955. She was employed with Charleston Manufacturing and Berkeley Manufacturing and later, Berkeley County School District.

In July 1955, she was united in Holy Matrimony to Zack "Zackie" Benekin and to this union, one child was born Lutrica "Caritha" Gethers. In November 2020, she married her longtime friend St. Julian Guest. They both preceded her in death.

Two brothers preceded her in death: Arthur Jones and Moses Jones.

She leaves to cherish her sweet memories: a loving and devoted daughter, Lutrica (Wilbur) Gethers; two grandsons Tyler and Titus Gethers all of Ladson SC; one granddaughter, Teresa Gethers, Charlotte, NC; four great-grandchildren, Madeline, Mandela, McKenzie, and Mandecies; ten stepchildren, Terry Denson, Carol Saunders, Bronx, NY, Sharon Smith, North Charleston, SC, and Mary Ann Gregory, Brooklyn New York; Jonathan Guest, Edgewood, MD, Julianne Guest, New Haven, CT, Minister Timothy (Marilyn) Guest, Hamden, CT, Mark (Anthony) Guest, Phoenix, AZ, David (Chantel) Guest, Columbia, SC, and Daniel Guest, New Bedford, MA; two brothers, Willie (Versalle) Jones, Fountain Inn, SC and Joseph Jones, Miramar, FL; her one and only sister, Daisy Green, Columbia, SC; five sisters-in-law, Christine Benekin. Valerie Jones, Pineville, SC, Mary (Bobby) Prioleau-Anderson, Ruth (Thaddeus) Williams and Naomi J. Jones; six brothers-in-law, Benjamin Nesmith, Pineville, SC, Christopher (Julie) Jenkins, Billy (Gloria) Jenkins, Samuel Jenkins, Jr., Charles (Claytonia) Jenkins and Henry (Sharon) Jenkins, Sr.; a host of nieces and nephews; special family friend Rosalyn Benekin, Evans, GA; special friends, Elizabeth Hall, Richmond Virginia, Dolly Theirse, Rachel Singleton. Viola Bowens, Pineville, SC and Rev. Angela Brown Green; special niece, Dawn McCammon, Knightdale, NC; members of the Russellville Dragon's Class of 1955, family and friends of the Eadytown-Pineville Community, members of her beloved Reformed Episcopal Church, and other relatives and friends.

Friends may call at the residence of Lutrica and Elder Wilbur Gethers, Ladson, SC, during the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Please adhere to COVID-19 protocols when visiting the family. The family is grateful for your love and sympathy during this difficult time. Please continue to uplift them in prayer.

Viewing will be held Friday, August 12, 2022, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home (Moncks Corner). Face masks are required.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, August 13, 2022, 2:00 p.m., at Refuge Temple St. Stephen, 3674 North Highway 52, St. Stephen, SC. Face masks are mandatory, temperature checks will be required, and there will be no early entry into the church. In consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, seating is limited.

The service may be viewed via Zoom. Meeting ID: 856 7025 8832    Phone Number: 646-558-8656

The service will also be live streamed on the funeral home's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/gethersfh

Burial will be in Buford Cemetery, Pineville, SC.