Carleen Clara Benson Desper

Carleen Clara Benson Desper, 91, of Augusta County, Virginia, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 7, 2026, surrounded by the unconditional love, comfort, and care of her family in her daughter's home.

Carleen’s life was a beautiful testament to love, faith, family, and devotion. She loved her family deeply and firmly—without hesitation, without condition, and with a love that could be felt in everything she did. Her greatest joy was the people she loved, and she cherished every moment she was given with them. Her relationship with Jesus Christ was at the very center of her life. Her faith carried her through every season, and she found comfort and strength in Scripture, prayer, Bible studies, and the promise of eternal life. Though our hearts ache at her leaving, we find peace knowing that she is now resting in the arms of the Savior she loved so dearly.

Born on March 21, 1935, Carleen was the daughter of the late Clyde Henry Benson and Willie Cornelia Drawbond Benson. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Carleen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Meryl Desper; her children, Gayle Diane Callison, Faye Marie Callison, and Dale Scott and Jane Elizabeth Callison; Clyde Walker Callison; her grandson Tyler Wilke; and her great-grandson Gideon Baska.

She leaves behind a family who will carry her love and memory in their hearts forever: her children, Trooper and Cathy Callison, Shelia and Mike Green, Eric Callison, Shawnee and George Kennedy and Carolyn Sheets and Lori Callison; along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in her heart.

Carleen was a woman who could make ordinary moments feel special. She was an avid seamstress and crafter, a talented cake baker, and a gardener who found joy in creating and nurturing beautiful things. She loved gathering with others for Bible studies and devoted many years to serving in the children’s ministry at White Hill Church of the Brethren. Her hands were always busy, but perhaps her greatest work was the love she poured into the people around her.

She spent many years working at GE and Morton's before retiring from Genesco after 28 years of dedicated service. She was hardworking, dependable, and proud of the life she built—but her greatest accomplishment was the family she loved so fiercely.

Carleen’s home was more than a place; it was a place where love lived. In her final days, she was blessed to receive dedicated love and care in the home of her daughter. She was surrounded by the people, memories, and love that meant the most to her. For that gift, her family will always be grateful.

The family extends their deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of the Piedmont, with a very special thank you to Mary, Kathryn, Dr. Dobson, Betty, Ilona, and Marty for the compassion, kindness, dignity, and loving care they gave Carleen and her family during this precious final chapter of her life. Their presence brought comfort during an incredibly difficult time and will never be forgotten.

Carleen loved her family with her whole heart. She taught them through her life what it meant to love deeply, to have faith when life was difficult, to serve others, and to hold tightly to the people God places in our lives. Her absence will leave a space that can never truly be filled.

But her family will carry her forward—in the stories they tell, the traditions they continue, the recipes they remember, the gardens they tend, the things they create with their hands, and most of all, in the love they give one another.

And because Carleen believed in Jesus Christ, her family does not say goodbye as though this is the end. They say until we meet again. She has finished her earthly journey. Her work here is complete. She has been reunited with those who went before her, and she is finally home. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant... enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” — Matthew 25:21

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at White Hill Church, 749 Old White Hill Road, Stuarts Draft. Following the visitation a funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the church with Pastor Dave Chappell and Pastor Ethan Callison officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers in honor of Carleen's life and memory will be Trooper Callison, Eric Callison, Clint Callison, Adam Marshall, Chad Marshall, Travis Callison, Roger Kennedy, Kevin Kispaugh, Shawn Baska, Mat Thomas, Mickey Emerson, Luke Callison and Brian Green.

Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughters and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to New Directions, Staunton, Virginia, or to a charity of your choice that supports children and/or women who have experienced abuse, in honor of Carleen’s compassionate heart and her desire to see others cared for, protected and loved.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes of Stuarts Draft.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com