Dorothy Patricia Bell Bennett Jordan, born August 18, 1919 in Atlanta, died October 20, 2017 in Tifton. She lived in Atlanta, East Point, and the Atlanta area most of adult life, moving to Tifton when she was 87.
An only child, she was preceded in death by her parents John Grady Bell, who was a railroad engineer, and Lorena Mae Bell, a homemaker; her son John Clayton Bennett (1950 – 1955), and her daughter, Patricia Lillian Bennett Nettles Burris (1944-1994). She is survived by her son James Pierce Bennett (Kathi); grandchildren Valerie Touchstone (Kevin), Karen Sager (Jerry), Debora Dixon, John Bennett (Brittany), Joey Bennett (Kelly), Tiffani Bennett, and Kortni Bennett; her great-grandchildren Jordan Hall (McKenzie), Bethany Sager, Garrett Sager, Corbin Dixon, Mia Dixon, Olivia Bennett, Quinn Bennett, and soon-to-arrive Heath Donovan Bennett.
Dot, as she preferred to be called, graduated from Girls High in Atlanta. She worked at Standard Oil Company and then at Third Army Headquarters, Fort McPherson in East Point for 25 years where she took pride in her job as a secretary to colonels and generals. She also loved working at Rich’s in downtown Atlanta during Christmas for several years and was very proud to have been a part of an Atlanta-founded company with a legendary reputation. She enjoyed serving as a Pink Lady at South Fulton Hospital and Henry General.
Dot was always involved in her children’s activities including PTA and Little League, where she served as secretary and treasurer. She loved gourmet cooking and baking, but thought a pound cake was the perfect dessert; she was active in the Central Christian Church and Westside Christian Church in East Point for many years. She loved square dancing and was a member of MASDA, along with many other many square dancing clubs, holding office and “cuing” as well. She also taught round dancing, similar to ballroom dancing, in Atlanta and other places across the country.
Dot said earlier this year that she “had enjoyed as much fun as one girl could have,” noting she had “squeezed every ounce of joy possible out of life and didn’t regret any stops along the way.” She was fiercely loyal to her family and friends, yet always lived life on her on terms.
Dot well-read, didn't mince words and suffered the great losses in her life, such as the deaths of two of her children, with dignity and grace. She loved to laugh, enjoyed a good cocktail, had an extensive vocabulary, enjoyed fashion, delighted in travelling the world, told wonderfully risqué jokes and loved extraordinary meals, often trying to replicate recipes at home; she had a sharp sense of humor and great wit. Her friends and family know she most certainly made a grand entrance at pearly gates.
A celebration of her life will be held Monday, October 23, 2017, 10 a.m. at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta. Flowers will be accepted or a donation to The Fox Theatre may be made in her memory; mail donations to: The Fox Theatre, Fox Theatre Institute, 660 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta , GA 30308.