Chalmos Louis Benjamin

Chalmos Louis Benjamin, age 91, went to his eternal rest on November 21, 2023, at the VA Hospital of Dallas, just 1 week shy of his 92nd birthday. He was born in Brooklyn, Mississippi on November 28, 1931, and was raised as the only child of Hatten and Birdie Benjamin.

He gave his life to Christ at an early age at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Brooklyn, MS. Due to segregation, he went to live with a minister and his wife in Hattiesburg where he completed his secondary education. After graduating high school, Chalmos attended Jackson State University for 2 years until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952.

While in the Air Force, he served as a Distribution Warehouse Supervisor, and received many honors and awards. He also served at various bases in the US, including Canada, Guam, and the Vietnam War. After 20 years of service, Chalmos retired from the military with an Honorable discharge. During his time at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas, he saw a beautiful young lady named Doris while working at Base Supply. Although he did not necessarily drink coffee or like to dance, he would often stop and get a drink of coffee on the second floor so he could secretly gaze at Doris and danced with her at the base Christmas Party. He offered her a ride home that night and shortly thereafter, she became the love of his life and married prior to his deployment to Vietnam in 1968. Upon retirement from the Air Force, Chalmos relocated to the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex and worked for Wyeth Ayerst Laboratories in Dallas for 22 years as a Pharmaceutical Clerk Supervisor and retired for a second time.

Chalmos was active in his community as a member of the Grand Prairie Evening Optimist Club where he served as President and received recognition as a Lifetime Member of the International Optimist Club for his continued service and leadership.

He was a man of God who loved the Lord and served faithfully at St John Baptist church in Grand Prairie on the Board of Trustees, as a Deacon, a Sunday School Superintendent, and a member of the Adult Choir. In his later years, he became a member of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and served on the usher board for several years alongside with his wife Doris.

Chalmos loved his family, his country, and his Dallas Cowboys. He led with a quiet strength and a gentle and kind spirit. His love for Christ was evident to all who encountered him. He is most remembered by his children and grandchildren for his wisdom and gentle reminder to “love one another, take care of each other, and always stick together”.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Hatten Louis Benjamin and Birdie Marie Benjamin; his birth mother, Fay Etta Benjamin; and siblings, Bennie Benjamin, Ida Lee Stonewall, Rosa Lee Adams, Melvin H. Benjamin, Mary Lee Garner, David Benjamin, and James Benjamin.

His three surviving siblings are his brother, Ray Benjamin (Jauneice); and sisters, Pearlie Moore and Naddie Breland. Chalmos is also survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Doris; three children that include step son, Darryl Lee Terrell, Sr. (Sharon); and daughters, Cynthia Jones (Charles), and Linda Johnson; grandchildren, Darryl Lee Terrell, Jr. (Denise), Adrienne Terrell King, Crystal Jones Johnson (Richard, Sr.), Isaiah Louis Benjamin, Sierra Johnson, and Courtney Jones; great-grandchildren, Jasmine King, Mia Dixon, Jaidah King, Olivia Terrell, Richard Johnson, Jr. (RJ), and Brynn Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.singinghillsfuneralhome.com for the Benjamin family.