Sandiford Bee Obituary

Capt. Sandiford Stiles Bee, Jr. ROCKVILLE, SC - Capt. Sandiford Stiles Bee, Jr. was born in Charleston on 23 August, 1931, the son of the late S. Stiles Bee and the late Ann Stock Wilson Bee of Seaside Plantation, James Island, S. C. He was predeceased by his loving wife of over 66 years, and the mother of his children, Rosamond Ravenel Bee. Following her passing, he married the late Mary Ann Bee. In addition to Rosamond and Mary Ann, he is predeceased by his son-in-law, Robert Bentz. He is survived by one daughter, Rosamond Bee Bentz of Rockville; three sons: S. Stiles Bee III of Wadmalaw Island, S.C., Robert R. Bee and his wife, Kathy of Orlando, Florida and William S. Bee of Charleston and nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. E. M. Rhett of Charleston, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Friday, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, in J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Downtown Chapel. His Funeral Service will be held Saturday, December 6, 2025, in St. John's Episcopal Church, 3673 Maybank Highway, at 2:00 pm. Committal to immediately follow in St. John's Episcopal Churchyard. Sandie graduated from James Island elementary school and the high school of Charleston and Clemson A&M College, enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard; graduated from aviation machinist mate's school. The Coast Guard officer's indoctrination school at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Basic and Advanced Naval Aviators training school. After this he was designated U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue aviator #702 Sandie was one of the last seaplane pilots in the Coast Guard having numerous hours in the Martin PBM and Martin P5M Seaplanes. During his 28-year career, Capt. Bee served in a variety of rewarding assignments in eighteen locations until his retirement in 1982 in Washington, D.C., where he served as deputy chief office of reserve. Returning to James Island he worked with the James Island public service district from 1982 until retirement in 1994. He then became active in the incorporation of the town of Rockville, S.C. where he served as mayor protem from 1996 to 2002 and as mayor from 2002 until his retirement in July 2004. A lifelong member of the Episcopal and Anglican church, Capt. Bee was active in numerous church vestries and has served as senior warden at Holy Trinity Church on three occasions. He was very active in renewal in the church and served in various capacities in cursiollo, faith alive, the Diocesan couples conference, Kairos, soup kitchens and other church related activities. As a youth, Capt. Bee was an avid sailor and competed for years in the summer sailing regattas from Wrightsville beach, N.C. to Beaufort, S.C. primarily in the sea island one design class. In later years, he transitioned to watching the regattas from his front porch in Rockville and boating and shrimping in the Bohicket and adjacent waters as the spirit moved him. Capt. Bee was a member of the Sea Island Yacht Club in Rockville, an honorary life member of the James Island yacht club, a charter life member of the ancient order of Pterodactyls (Coast Guard Rescue Aviators) a member of the supper club of Charleston, the James island dance club and the 49ers club. Sandie loved people, especially his best friend, Rosie, his wife of over 66 years, their children and his lord and savior, Jesus Christ who led them all the way. Memorials may be sent to St. John's Parish Church P.O. Box 125, Johns Island, SC 29457 or to the Bishop Gadsden Residents Assistance Fund, 1 Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston, SC 29412.