01/21/1936 – 12/29/2024
Forever in our Hearts
Cynthia O’Neil Carson surrendered to lymphoma, and was called home to heaven, to watch over her family and malevolent dog Poncho.
Cynthia, born in Moriah, New York on January 21, 1936, was the youngest child of Faye Patten O’Neil and Charles Van Rensselaer O’Neil. In addition to her parents, Cynthia was predeceased by her four brothers, and her eight sisters, grandson, Spencer Bennett, and great grandsons Micah Smith and Shane Draken.
Cynthia wrote several short stories about her family and their life in upstate New York after the great depression. These stories will be forever treasured by family and friends alike. Theirs was not an easy life, as her father and two older brothers died in an ice fishing accident when she was a toddler. Her mother raised the children on her own, and taught Cynthia a resilience that served her well throughout her life. Self-described as having a “gypsy soul” she lived in several states including New York, New Mexico, Florida and Texas. Then, in her late 50’s she loaded up her belongings and drove down I95 – settling in Selma, North Carolina – halfway between her kids in New York and in Florida. She got a job, joined a church, bought a house, and stayed for the rest of her life. This remarkable woman raised seven children; Leeann Howe (Steven Kneifel) of Selma, NC, David Crossman (Laurie) of Lake Luzerne, NY, Daniel Bennett of Selma, NC, Maureen Bennett of Durham, NY, Lisamarie Valla (Robert) of Greenville, NY, Cynthia Casey (Alan) of Smithfield, NC, and Myron “Sam” Bennett, Jr. of Lake Luzerne, NY. She also raised several foster children and was an integral part of rearing multiple grandchildren. Cynthia was very proud of her grandchildren – Philip, Tanya, Aaron, Matthew, Errol, Elizabeth, Zachary, Cassandra, Kyle, Courtney, Sydney, Candice, Justen, Keith, Heather, Hope and Trevor; twenty-one great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren! She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, honorary children and grandchildren, and many friends. Cynthia also raised several fiercely protective dogs that adored her. But not her family.
Cynthia was a salesperson at heart – winning several awards for sales. She sold Electrolux vacuums door-to-door, used cars, cemetery plots and furniture. She also worked for social services, was a switchboard operator, truck driver, wrote articles for the newspaper, and retired form Heilig-Meyers Furniture store. She loved the time she served as Guardian ad Litem in Johnston County, NC, and as a companion to several local seniors in their homes and nursing homes. Reading, watching Jeopardy, crossword puzzles, cheering for Duke basketball, and going to the beach (but not to swim) were her favorite things to do. She had the most beautiful handwriting and loved writing letters and poems. She also had a great sense of humor. As a member of Sanders Chapel United Methodist Church in Smithfield, she was the reading and resource leader, wrote the church newsletter, and was the recipient of the Special Mission recognition pin.
Cynthia would love everyone to remember the moral of her favorite book, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach. “Embrace your individuality, practice resilience, and recognize the boundless potential within yourself.”
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks for all the visits, phone calls and cards, a special thanks to Pat Benson who helped care for Cynthia, and the Gentiva Home Hospice team that made it possible for Cynthia to stay in her home and cared for her with great skill and compassion during her final months of life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Cynthia’s memory to the SPCA or Johnston County Animal Shelter, 115 Shelter Way, Smithfield, NC 27577.
A Celebration of Life will be at the Home of Cynthia and Alan Casey, 770 Hill Road, Smithfield, NC 27577 on January 4, 2025 from 2:00 pm.
Casey Funeral Home and Cremation of Princeton is honored to serve the Carson Family.
