Mr. Derrick Leshawn Benson

Derrick Leshawn Benson was born on May 6, 1975, in East Cleveland, Ohio, to Dorkas Benson Sr. and Delois McCoy Benson. At an early age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at Second Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Growing up with his older brother Dorkas Benson, Jr. and younger brother Darryl Benson, Sr., their home was filled with love and their driveway filled with friends playing basketball.

He graduated from Strongsville High School in 1993 and attended the University of Toledo, proceeding later to earn his Bachelor’s degree from University of Phoenix. In 1996, Derrick began his career with Ameritech/AT&T and relocated from Ohio to Texas with the company in 2002. He proudly dedicated 29 years of service, and his coworkers became his family away from home.

On July 25, 2015, Derrick was united in marriage to Chasidy Allen Benson and welcomed with open arms by Dr. Dale and Patricia Allen (Dr. Father-in-Law and Sweet Little Mother-in-Law Self, as he affectionately called them), his sisters-in-love and the entire family. From his union with Chasidy, they were blessed with their beloved daughter, Chloe Lashawn Benson, born on April 19, 2019. Derrick was a devoted and proud husband and father. He was the true definition of a “girl dad” and never shied away from making his affections and love known for Chasidy and Chloe.

His love for family ran deep, and he worked hard to stay connected with everyone. He honored the importance of family history and genealogy, reminding us where we came from and why it matters. To him, family was more than just a name, it was a true bond. A right-hand man to everyone. He always showed up. He was always dependable.

Derrick was a devoted fan of all things Cleveland, especially the Browns, Cavaliers, Guardians, and THE Ohio State Buckeyes (O-H-I-O). He was conscious of the value of people, places, and moments documenting life’s precious moments with his video camera, living in a way that reminded us all to treasure what truly matters.

Derrick wore a different hat for every shoe, carried a smile that radiated joy, and had a heart filled with kindness. He was never one to rush a conversation, he always made you feel heard.

Derrick was a devoted husband, loving father, caring son, protective brother, and also an amazing cousin, nephew, uncle, godfather, son-in-law, brother-in-love, mentor, coach, coworker, and friend. And beyond all of that, he was simply an unbelievable, righteous, extraordinary, and amazing man of God.

Derrick was preceded in death by his grandparents Dock and Allie Mae Benson, George W. McCoy Jr., Sennie Ann Evans McCoy, and his mother, Delois McCoy Benson, whom he loved and cherished beyond words.

Derrick leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Chasidy Benson; his precious daughter, Chloe; his father, Dorkas Benson Sr.; brothers Dorkas Benson Jr. (Corey Lynn) and Darryl Benson Sr. (Toni); his god-brother, Jaizonne Holivay, and brother Carnell Davis; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends who will miss him dearly.