Obituary of Charles Thomas Bennett

Charles “Charlie” Thomas Bennett died Tuesday, November 7th, 2023, in Columbia, SC. He was 66 years old.

Born on December 7th, 1956 in Rock Hill, S.C., Charlie was the youngest child and only son of Charles P. Bennett and Martha Mitchell Bennett. They predeceased him as did his sisters, Carol Bennett Graham and Gail Bennett McMillan.

Charlie was a graduate of Rock Hill High School and of the University of South Carolina where he majored in journalism. He spent the majority of his life working as a well-respected sports writer and reporter working for The State newspaper in Columbia, SC, The Anderson Mail in Anderson, SC, The Aiken Standard in Aiken, SC, The Times Picayune in New Orleans, LA, The Charleston Post and Courier in Charleston, SC and Bleacher Report. He was also the author of Game of My Life: South Carolina Gamecocks.

Charlie is survived by his four children: Carol B. Kaune of Aiken, S.C.; Augusta B. Forbes (Jonathon) of Brandon, FL; Charles “Bubba” T. Bennett, of Columbia, S.C.; and Michael T. Bennett of Irmo, S.C. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, all of whom were his greatest delight; Kennedy H. Kaune, Mark W. Kaune, Blythe C. Williams, and Sophie I. Forbes; and two nephews.

Charlie’s greatest passions aside from his grandchildren were horse racing, college football (especially the Carolina Gamecocks), reading, the beach and reminiscing with his many friends and former co-workers. If you knew Charlie, you loved being around him. His biggest motto was “work hard, play hard” and many people knew him as “Good-Time Charlie.”

A celebration of his life will be held at the Mausoleum Chapel of Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC on Sunday, November 19th, 2023 at 3:00 PM. The family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM) at Woodridge Funeral Home, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC. 

The family welcomes donations (in Charlie's memory) to the Unumb Center for Neurological Development, 1505 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201.