Dorothy Sutton Bodie

Dorothy Sutton Bodie went home to be with the Lord on June 1, 2023 after a very blessed life of 93 years. She was the daughter of Rochell (Shell) and Sadie Sutton and was born in Fort Mill, SC on August 28th, 1929. Also significant in her life was her beloved step mother Rachael Sutton. Her life was a love of family whether taking care of Hoyt, swapping stories with close relatives, or spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Over the years, she became affectionately known to all as “Mooey”.

Dottie was a graduate of Winthrop College majoring in Home Economics, teaching for 3 years until she met the love of her life, Dr. Hoyt Bodie. Married in 1953, Dottie and Hoyt developed many special relationships with friends and their extended family of brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. She was a long-time member at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church in Columbia where she was often found teaching the kindergarten children, working in the kitchen, or making banners and needlepoint kneelers for the sanctuary.

Throughout Dottie and Hoyt’s lives they enjoyed travel all over the globe following college basketball, searching for South Carolina’s antique treasures and attending grandchildren’s events. Along the way, they made many wonderful friends especially while at Summit Place in Columbia and at the Lakes at Litchfield in Pawleys Island. They loved to laugh and even into their 80s cleverly dressed for Halloween, fancily decorated for Christmas, and always had Dottie’s mannequin friend Monica close at hand. Dottie was an excellent seamstress and made many of her own clothes as well as the clothes for many dolls shared with her granddaughters.

Visits to see “Mooey and Pa” were special occasions for the grandchildren and great grandchildren for nearly forty years. Whether at their home in Columbia or at Litchfield Beach, the fun included playing dress-up, making arts and crafts, or flying kites. “Mooey” was wonderful at creating shared memories by joining the children on the floor and connecting with them at their level. Even today, each one of her grandchildren still talks about their fun times with Mooey. Beyond the fun, these moments were incredibly valuable in imparting values, kindness, and the importance of family. This is her legacy in all of us.

Her three boys and their families are especially thankful for the family members who provided such loving care for her and are also thankful for her staff of caregivers from First Light Healthcare. Lori Hopkins, Lori Langdon, Cherise Knowlin, Sapphire Canty and Vickey Frye were a very loyal, caring and unselfish group of ladies who have provided the best care possible for her and became a part of our family. Crescent Hospice also provided excellent care during her final months.

Dottie was predeceased by Hoyt, her loving husband of 63 years. She has one surviving sister, Ann Compton (John) of Seneca. She is also survived by her children: Barry H. Bodie (Laurie), Ed S. Bodie (Dixie) and Charles A. Bodie (Maria); her grandchildren: David Bodie (Natalie), Renee Goldfinch (Stephen), Philip Bodie (Leigh Ann), Leslie Bassett (Brad), Stephen Bodie, Diana Bodie, Lana Duda, Sutton Caba-Bodie, Sally Rodriguez (Ben), Sarah Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson and Sam Johnson; her great grandchildren: Grace Bodie, Henry Bodie, Rosie Bassett, Rowan Bassett, Reese Bodie, Ryan Bodie, Hadlee Goldfinch, Tripp Goldfinch III and Eva Schweitzer.

There will be a brief graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery in Columbia on June 10, 2023 at 10:00 AM. The Family will receive friends after the service at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are encouraged to Epworth Childrens Home (2900 Millwood Ave. Columbia SC 29250), Trenholm Road United Methodist Church (3401 Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29204), or Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church (180 St. Paul Place Pawleys Island, SC 29585).