Catherine Elizabeth �Cathy� Dopson, age 84, of Fernandina Beach, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, June 12, 2016 at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born on May 29, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY where she graduated from Catholic High School.

Since 1954, Cathy has been a resident of Fernandina Beach. After settling here she drove a school bus for the Nassau County School System. For over 20 years she transported many children in Nassau County to and from school and became loved by all of her children and many of their parents. Cathy had been the bar manager at the American Legion �Theodore Hernandez Post 54; the old Log Cabin� for many years. She was a Life Member of the American Legion Auxiliary as well as the VFW. She had held every office in the Auxiliary at Post 54 from President to Chaplain, multiple times. Cathy had served as the chairperson for the Veterans Day Parade for 33 years and was the Grand Marshall in 2014. If there was a Veteran�s event, she was on hand; whether fund raising, soliciting for help on various projects or making certain that everything was being done properly. She was the �Go To Person� for any Veteran�s event or need and was commonly referred to as �The Pillar of Post 54�.

She leaves behind, her husband, Eason Bennett, daughters, Marianne Dopson, Sheryl Bennett Usry and Kathy Bennett Bodamer; sons in law, Brian Usery and Wayne Bodamer; grandchildren, Melissa, Elyse, Emily, Garret, Tyler, Casey and Brandon; her Dopson family, Jerry, Terri, Ricky and Chuck; her McElleny family from New York, Gerald, Debby, Edythe Marie, Matt and their families; as well as her extended family, Kathy Mitchell and Erna Aliperti.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Friday, June 24, 2016 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley Heard witrh Ed Cook, officiating.

Her family will receive friends on Friday, at the funeral home, from 10:00 am until the hour of service.

A Celebration of her Life will be held on Saturday, June 25th from 1:00 � 4:00 pm at the American Legion Post 54, 626 South 3rd Street, Fernandina Beach.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 54 Auxiliary.

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