Carleen McAllister Benson, 65, of Sparta, returned to the arms of The Lord, on Feb. 17, 2025.
Born Aug. 25, 1959, she was the daughter of James Joseph McAllister and Eileen Elizabeth O’Connor McAllister and was the middle of five children.
Carleen is remembered as the red-headed firecracker full of practicality, wisdom, and love. She was strong-willed, funny, unbelievably kind, and always thinking of others. She was the kind of generous soul that would give the shirt off her back for anyone but also made sure it was laundered first. On her farm, she took in any animal that wandered her way, from dozens of kittens, squirrels, and dogs to other animals, including Kitty the dog and Babe the pot-bellied pig. In her neighborhood, she was known as the “queen of the valley” as she took care of others and often brought gifts or needed supplies. Carleen was known for remembering the small details of others, such as sending out a birthday card every year without fail to a man she only met once by chance at an auction. Her family remembers her skills in the kitchen and feeding those she loved and making memories around the kitchen table.
Carleen was deeply involved in the Sparta community, particularly through the Hickory Valley Baptist Church and YMCA. For over 20 years, Carleen was part of the youth ministry, and Carleen was an integral servant of the Backpack Assist Ministry (BAM) that has helped hundreds upon hundreds of families and students by providing school and hygiene supplies at no cost. She loved all the children she cared for and taught.
Carleen was preceded in death by her parents.
Surviving are her son, John Richard (Jane) Benson, of Tennessee; two grandchildren, Sean and Eliza; four siblings, Bill McAllister, of Arizona, Bernadette “Bernie” (Robert) Hoyt, of Florida, Geraldine “Geri” Canacakos, of Arizona, Denise Nikles, of Pennsylvania; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as too many friends to count.
A memorial service for Carleen will be March 8, 2025, at Hickory Valley Baptist Church, in Sparta, with additional details coming. An inurnment will follow at 2 p.m., at Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery, in Sparta.
Oak Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
.jpg){kind=tracking}