Valerie Benjamin

Of Sunbury Ohio, born October 27, 1955 in Mansfield, OH passed away Saturday, August 24, 2024. The 2nd of four children, and the only female born to the late Otis (OT) Watkins and Hattie Sue (Wellington) Watkins.

Valerie was a graduate of Mansfield Senior High, Class of ‘73. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Mt. Herman Baptist Church. After graduation she attended North Central Technical College and received an AA, in Business/Secretarial Science class of ‘75 and a BS in Business from Urbana University class of ‘82.

Following the passage of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) in 1973, Valerie worked for the Federal Agency 20+ years training workers and providing them with jobs in the public service. She the married Rodney Benjamin Sr. July 12, 1975 and to that union a son was born.

In 1993 she relocated initially to Manassas and later Gainesville Virginia and was a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Fairfax, VA. She received a MS in Business Administration, Finance/Business in ‘93 from Strayer University and a Certificate in Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisition & Contracts Management from the University of Virginia in 2000.

While in the DMV area she worked for Northrop Grumman as a Management Analyst/Sr. Program Control and later as a Business Manager for 18+ years, then at Govplace, Inc as a Financial Analyst and lastly at General Dynamics CSC/CSRA Inc. as Senior/Professional Program Analyst providing financial management & control in support of business Technology Departments. Thankfully, her a position allowed her to “work from home” and in 2019 she returned to Ohio to care for her elderly Mother. In 2020 she moved to Sunbury, OH and retired in 2022.

Valerie’s unique and sparkling personality, laughter, grin, and beautiful smile warmed your heart and made you love her even more. She was tenacious about caring for her family. She displayed these same qualities in her work and performed in an exceptional manner. However, when it came to family, her tenacity was most vividly displayed.

She was preceded in death by her grand-parents, Jesse Wellington and Lula Mae (Caldwell) Wellington; parents, Otis (OT) and Hattie Sue (Wellington) Watkins; siblings, Joseph and Michael Watkins.

She leaves to cherish her memory son Rodney Benjamin Jr. of Powell, OH, brother Tim Watkins (Paula) of Mansfield, OH; Grandchildren, Jojuana Taitano, Justin Weller, Rahja Benjamin & Jaylen Benjamin; Great-grandson, Antonio III; Aunts, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.