Dorothy Lee “Dottie” Bennett

Dorothy Lee “Dottie” Bennett, 77, of Dickinson and formerly of Harwood, passed away Monday, Nov. 14, 2011.

She was born Feb. 27, 1934 in Kilgore, to Theodore Roosevelt Poynter Sr. and Eva Lena Medley Poynter. Dottie married Wilburn “Bunt” Bennett on Oct. 17, 1952 in Corpus Christi. She was a member of Dickinson First Baptist Church and had previously been an active member of Harwood Baptist Church. While living in Harwood, Dottie was a member and an active supporter of the Harwood Community Center, the Harwood Cemetery Association and the Harwood Home Demonstrations Club. She was a voracious book reader and enjoyed cooking for her loved ones. Dottie was a natural caretaker; her tender heart and merciful manner lead her in caring for others that required healthcare assistance. She loved her family and church family completely and she was deeply loved in return.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Frankie Santiago of Dickinson; son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Vona Bennett of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sisters Inez Cowling of Albion, Ill., Shirley Bond of Bethany, Ill., and Tennie Caldwell and her husband Charles of Norcross, Ga.; brothers Ted Poynter of Lafayette, La., and Johnny Poynter of Shreveport, La.; eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Jack Poynter, sister Eunice Verwanda “Toot” Poynter, son Ricky Wayne Bennett and great-grandchildren Alisyn Audrey Wells and Nevaeh Joy Bennett.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, in Harwood Baptist Church with Rev. Todd Craven officiating. Interment will follow in Harwood Cemetery. Pallbearers include Daniel Monroe, Bo Watson, Eddie Santiago, Andy Doyle, Daniel Peterman and Keith LePori Sr. Honorary pallbearers include Keith LePori Jr., Tyler LePori, Kirk Bennett and Kevin Bennett. Memorials may be made to Harwood Baptist Church, Harwood Community Center, Harwood Cemetery Association or Texas Home Health Hospice. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5-8 p.m. Friday.  Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.