Daniel Bender

Daniel (Danny) Ralph Bender passed away peacefully at his home in Terry, MS, on April 12, 2024,  from complications due to cancer. He was born October 31, 1949, to Erma Mardell Padgett Bender and Ralph Elbern Bender in Laurel, MS. He was the grandson of Clifton Lamar Padgett and Ella Ree Padgett of Laurel and James Robert and Ora Mae Bender of May’s Landing, New Jersey.

Danny graduated from West Jones High School in 1968. He attended the University of Southern Mississippi (music), Jackson State University (special education), and Mississippi College (health administration). He was one of the first nationally registered Emergency Medical Technicians in Mississippi and was instrumental in starting the Mississippi EMT Association. He worked as an EMT for Baldwin Ambulance Service while attending college and later taught special education in the Jackson Public School System. He retired as Director of Health Services for the Mississippi State Department of Health after more than 25 years of state service. During his time at the MSDH, he started the newborn genetic screening program for Mississippi. Special needs children and their health remained an important topic for him throughout his life. 

Danny was an active member of Wynndale Baptist Church in Terry, MS, where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, director of the senior adult choir, member of the adult choir, and a member of the handbell players. He loved music of all types, but he especially loved classical music and southern gospel music. He also loved flower gardening, camping, and traveling. If there was a mention of a trip, he was always “packed and ready” to go. His greatest joy was working with senior adults, both at Oak Forest Baptist Church and at Wynndale Baptist Church.

Danny is survived by his wife of more than fifty years, Dr. Kaye Waldrup Bender, and his furry companion, Millie Grace. He is also survived by nieces and nephew, Jeffery Rushing (Diana) and their children, Ashley Rushing Kreft (Garrett) and Shelby Rushing, of Houston, TX; Lori Rushing Williams (Rodney)  of Weatherford, Texas and daughter Chelsea Nichols (Seth) and Alliesyn Nichols of Smithville, TX; Felicia Rushing Fitzgerald (Sean) and John James Fitzgerald of Houston, TX; and his very special godchild and her family, Dr. Megan Poirrier Ladner (Jeff), and Thomas and Ashton Ladner of Terry, MS. Being an only child, he also counted Russell J. Poirrier and Vicky Godbold Poirrier as his ”sister and brother from other mothers”. 

A private burial service will be held in Laurel, MS, on April 15, 2024. A celebration of his life will be held at Wynndale Baptist Church,  at 5pm on Saturday, April 20, 2024. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Wynndale Baptist Church Music Ministry, The Mustard Seed, Inc, or the Dr. Kaye Bender Endowed Scholarship Fund at the UMMC School of Nursing.