Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Mark Bender, and his whole family added special light to my life during my high school years. He lived his values as demonstrated by his devotion to his family, who extended themselves to me as a second family. In their home, I saw loving parents and devoted partners and loving sisters, got lots of hugs an attention and laughed silly in many late Saturday nights before church in the morning. They welcomed one more hungry teenager and I felt valued and loved among them. When I got my first car for graduation, Mark and life-long friend Claude Stegall taught me how to do a tune up and other routine checks one should know. And I knew about the "automobiles are a lethal weapon," initiation to driving. For years I did my tuneups until fuel injection replaced carburetors.
His church vocal solos were the first live tenor I ever listened to and his spirit and musicality were great introductions to vocal music. I found him easy, comfortable and comforting, gentle, kind, 100% steady and dependable. Though I have wandered near and far from those high school days, I have carried these lovely moments with me always and felt always grateful to all of the Benders and especially Mark because little girls always need a strong Daddy figure in their lives.
With love always,
Lynne
