Carol Shortt Benge

Carol Shortt Benge, of Kingsport, TN went to dwell in the healing presence of her Savior on February 15, 2026. She joins in eternal rest her beloved parents, Amos and Marie Shortt and brother Gary Shortt.

Born in 1949 in Richlands, VA, Carol, had a brilliant mind and quick wit. She was valedictorian of her graduating class at Garden High School. She obtained a degree from Southwestern Business College in Marion, VA with honors and moved to Kingsport, TN to begin her career at Eastman Chemical Company. She later worked at Holston Army Ammunition Plant in the purchasing department, transitioning to BAE and later Technical Solutions. After early retirement, she worked as secretary of First Baptist Church in Kingsport, where she was a light to all who came by her window each day.

She devoted herself to caring for her husband, Calvin, and her daughter, Aimee. She worked long hours, drove countless miles to get them to jobs, sports, church, and Girl Scout activities, and stayed up late into the night to listen to teenage drama. She was a faithful member of Temple Baptist Church for over five decades. In later years she couldn’t wait for summer break where she enjoyed spoiling her “grandbabes” and taking them to VBS at First Baptist Church.

Carol is greatly missed. She is a treasure to all who knew her, and now she is living in the LIGHT of that reality. Praise be to God!

She is survived by Calvin Larry Benge, her husband of 56 years, and their daughter Aimee Benge Stefanick (Matt), of Franklin, TN. Her five wonderful grandbabes, Phoebe, Selah, Levi, Annie and Josie Stefanick, brought her tremendous joy. As did her brother, Larry Shortt (Kathy) of Castlewood, VA, sister, Judy Rife of Richlands, VA, sister-in-law Carlene Shortt of Huntsville, AL, her nieces Dana Smith (Jeremy) and Zara Steva (Thomas) and great-nieces and nephews, Jaci and Daniel Smith and Leon and Rosalyn Steva. She adored all the visits, phone calls, stories and pictures from her loving family.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Blountville. Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Scott Young officiating.

Interment will follow in the Garden of Solomon at Hamlett-Dobson Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers Carol has requested donations be made to Gideons International for the purchase of Bibles or The Foundation Fighting Blindness.