CAMDEN — Clarista “Cris” (Payson) Benner, 84, of Camden, died on Monday, May 29, 2023 at Maine General Hospital in Augusta, after a brief illness. Born in Camden on February 4, 1939, she was the daughter of Wendell D. and E. Catherine (Danforth) Payson, and was a member of the Class of 1957 at Camden High School. On January 1, 1959, Chris married Robert D. Benner in Camden. 

Her employment included designing, knitting, and creating knitting books while employed at North Island Knits of North Haven; the Lord Camden Inn where she worked as a cook; at The Homestead assisted living facilities in Owls Head and Cushing; and Bishops Store Laundromat in Camden. 

Cris loved fast cars and enjoyed watching NASCAR and dirt track racing. 

Predeceased by her husband, Robert D. Benner in 1988, she is survived by two children, Tambra Benner-Hare and her husband, Charlie of Rockport, and Robert Benner, Jr. and his partner, Trenna Bragg; a sister, Wendy Turgeon and her husband, Walter of Connecticut; a brother-in-law, Ernest Benner and his wife, Mary, of Owls Head; five grandchildren, Robert Hare, Zachary Hare, Nychole Hare, Erin Benner and Taylor Benner; one great-grandchild, Alyce Hare; one niece and one nephew.

A graveside service will be announced to be held in the Mountain View Cemetery in Camden. Condolences and memories may be shared with her family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.