The Life and Legacy of a Trailblazer and True Renaissance Man

Dr. Bennie James Dover of Greenwood, South Carolina made his transition on January 2, 2022, in Fayetteville, Georgia at Piedmont Fayette Hospital.   He was born to Hayden Dover Davis and Hezekiah Dawkins as an only child in Union County, South Carolina on November 6, 1922.

Growing up in a family of sharecroppers, Dr. Dover learned early the value of hard work.  He developed a deep faith and belief in Jesus Christ in a Christian family and attended Jerusalem Baptist Church in Jonesville, SC.   At an early age, he developed a passion for reading which would shape his life.  He credits his uncles for teaching him to be a hunter, fisherman, and an athlete.  As a child, he had a vivid imagination and was an amateur inventor.  He actually built an airplane that flew for a few seconds.  He graduated as valedictorian from Granard High School in Gaffney, SC where he was also the captain of the football team and received a football scholarship to attend Allen University in Columbia, SC.

At Allen University, Dr. Dover majored in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.  In addition to playing football proudly as a 60-minute man, he pledged Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., acted in plays on campus, deepened his love of poetry, and learned to play tennis.  While at Allen, he met the love of his life, Alice Marie Mazyck.  They married on September 1, 1949, and were blessed with two daughters, Sanquinetta Maria and Benita Alicia.   As a firm believer in education, Dr. Dover pursued and received a master's degree in 1949 from South Carolina State College and in 1970, a Doctorate in Education from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Dr. Dover was a committed educator, community leader, devoted family man, and was deeply religious. After graduating from college, he was offered a position in Chicago, Ill as a Chemist.  He did not accept the position due to having to relocate.  In 1948, he moved to Greenwood, SC to teach Biology at Brewer High School.  Later he became the Principal of East End Elementary School and returned to Brewer High School as their last Principal.  His final position was Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Greenwood School District #50.  As a visionary desiring to provide the best for his family, he became a real estate investor and earned money refereeing high school football and basketball games and as the umpire for baseball games.  A true sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, Dr. Dover was a taxidermist and preserved animals for himself and friends.  As an avid golfer, he also enjoyed a great game of golf with his golfing brothers.   In his church, Tabernacle Baptist Church, Dr. Dover was Chairman of the Deacon Board, always attended Sunday School and beautifully sang solos in the choir.   He was a powerful orator and often presented keynote addresses.

Dr. Dover was a pioneer.  This trailblazer and true renaissance man was the first person to earn a doctorate degree in the Greenwood School District #50.  He also broke many racial barriers, being the first Black person in Greenwood, SC and one of the first Black people in South Carolina to open many doors in an impressive list of accomplishments.  He was the first Black Board Chairman of the Greenwood Salvation Army, the first Black Chair of Greenwood Planning Board, the first Black Board Member of the Burton Center and the first Black member of the Lions Club of Greenwood.

As a 33 ^rd degree member of the Prince Hall Masonry and a Shriner, Dr. Dover achieved the highest positions and honors as listed.

• Past Master of Progressive Lodge #403 Greenwood, SC
• Past Potentate Cairo Shrine Temple #125 Columbia, SC
• Past Commander in Chief, CC Johnson Consistory #136 Columbia, SC
• Past Chairman of Grand Lodge Education Committee
• Grand Inspector General of South Carolina Council of Deliberation
• Past Imperial Deputy of the Dessert of South Carolina, A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc., PHA of North and South America

After retirement, Dr. and Mrs. Dover took off to see the world together.  They traveled extensively to six continents and visited many countries.  In 1999, he was happy to celebrate with her, their 50 ^th Wedding Anniversary.  After his wife passed, Dr. Dover enjoyed visiting his two daughters and granddaughter.   He also regularly met with the men in the neighborhood at Mr. Billy Jones Store, where they fondly shared stories and solved the problems of the world.  Dr. Dover was a great philosopher and loved mentoring young people.  He was a Trailblazer and True Renaissance Man.

Dr. Dover leaves to cherish his memory and legacy two loving daughters, Sanquinetta Maria Dover of Smyrna, GA, and Benita Alicia Dover Brailsford (Mark Anthony) of Fayetteville GA.: two granddaughters, Dr. Ariel B. Banks and Zoe Brailsford: Aunt, Mrs. Gertrude Hamilton: Nieces,  Ermine Mazyck, Charmaine Mazyck, Carolyn Mayshack, Kateiba Strand: Nephews, Sinclair Mazyck, Leonard Mazyck and Stephan Mazyck: Cousins, Mrs. Beulah J. Washington, Betty Dover, and Dr. Annie Ruth Caldwell and a host of other cousins, relatives, and friends.

SERVICES

Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. at Tabernacle Baptist Church on Saturday, January 8, 2022 with the Reverend Quincy Baylor, Pastor and Officiating. Assisted by the Reverend Michael Butler, Reverend Rebecca Aiken, Reverend Hattie Henderson and Minister William Butler. Internment will be in the Evening Star Cemetery, 111 Memorial Lane, Greenwood, South Carolina 29646.

Pallbearers will be the Progressive Lodge #403 and Flower Bearers will be Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Public viewing will be held on Friday, January 7, 2022 from 1-6 P.M. at the funeral home.

Tabernacle Baptist Church

424 Baptist Street

Greenwood, SC 29646

LIVESTREAM - The service will be livestreamed two ways as listed below.  The Internment will be livestreamed through Facebook Live only.

NOTE: Please make sure that you list Greenwood, SC in your searches.

1. YouTube – Search for Tabernacle Baptist Church, Greenwood, SC on You Tube.
2. Facebook Live - Search Parks Funeral Home, Greenwood SC on Facebook.

INTERNMENT

The Evening Star Cemetery

111 Memorial Lane

Greenwood, SC 29646

FUNERAL HOME

Send flowers, donations and other thoughts and communications to Parks Funeral Home as listed below.

Parks Funeral Home

514 Hackett Avenue

Greenwood, SC 29646

Phone – 864-229-3206

Fax – 864-943-0025

Email – anneparks@embarqmail.com