Dorothy Lee Bendt

Dorothy Lee Bazzle Bendt, 86, passed away peacefully on the evening of May 15, 2014. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The relatives and friends of Dorothy Bendt are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 20, 2014 from Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 5 Saint Teresa Drive, Charleston. The Rite of Committal will follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends between 6:00 & 8:00 PM Monday at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston. "Dot," as she was known by family and friends, was born on February 4, 1928, in Cottageville, SC, to Bessie Jackson and Ervin William Bazzle. She attended elementary school and high school in Cottageville, and competed on the Cottageville High School basketball and softball teams. Upon graduation from high school, Dot moved to downtown Charleston where she met William Francis (Buddy) Bendt, her husband of 67 years. During her lifetime, she worked at Kress Department Store (downtown Charleston) and Edwards Department Store (Pinehaven Shopping Center). She greatly enjoyed gardening and, especially while living in Charleston Heights, was known for her beautifully landscaped yard. She enjoyed taking care of her family - especially helping with her grandchildren. To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was affectionately called "MaMa. "Dot is survived by her husband, Buddy Bendt; two sons: W. Larry Bendt (Kathy) and David A. Bendt (Sallie), of Charleston; five grandchildren: Melissa B. Ainsworth (Steve) of Wilmington, NC; Allison B. Hodge (Gary) of Charleston; Brian A. Bendt (Samantha) of Rock Hill, SC; Brett A. Bendt (Chelsea) of Charleston, and Brittany A. Bendt of Charleston; seven great-grandchildren: Eliza Ainsworth, William Ainsworth, and Amelia Ainsworth; Alarie Hodge and Lillian Hodge; Jacob Bendt and Alexander Bendt; one brother, Mood Bazzle of Cottageville, SC; two sisters, Verna B. Hoover of Ridgeville, SC, and Ann B. Baker of Cottageville, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; two brothers, Carl Bazzle and Edward Bazzle, and one sister, Myrtle B. Driggers. Flowers may be sent or memorials to Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (marked for the Father McCarthy Catholic Education Fund), 7 Saint Teresa Drive, Charleston, SC 29407, will be appreciated.