Lois (Dempsey) Bentley

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Lois Dempsey Bentley passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in Raleigh, North Carolina, surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gladys Morris Dempsey Mozingo and Walter Madison Dempsey, her son-in- law Brian Beard, and by her beloved husband of 61 years, Charles Parks Bentley.

Lois was born on August 21, 1936, in Charleston, South Carolina. Because of her father’s work in construction, she moved often as a child and attended multiple schools. She always said her happiest years were spent in Rockingham, North Carolina. She graduated from high school in Charlotte and later attended Mars Hill College, where she met the love of her life, Charlie Bentley, in an English class. Lois and Charlie married in June 1957 and moved to Winston-Salem while Charlie continued his studies at Wake Forest University. Lois also enrolled in school and graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Wake Forest. She went on to teach seventh-grade English, a role she described as her favorite.

In 1966, the family moved to Wilkes County when Charlie became Associate Superintendent of Schools. Over the next twenty years, Lois served Wilkes County Schools in several roles, including English teacher and elementary and high school librarian. During this time, she earned her master’s degree in education from Appalachian State University. In 1991, the couple moved to Murfreesboro, where Charlie founded the Education Department at Chowan College, and Lois continued teaching until they returned to Wilkes County in 2001.

In retirement, Lois and Charlie traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, with Greece, Ireland, and the United Kingdom among her favorite destinations. She was a devoted and generous grandmother who delighted her three grandsons with gift bags full of treats at every visit. She also volunteered at the hospital in Wilkes County. She was a life-long Wake Forest supporter, a fan of every holiday, and known for her annual festive St. Patrick’s Day gatherings.

Friends remember Lois for her impeccable style, always wearing perfectly coordinated outfits with matching shoes, and jewelry. She loved her church family and her many friends in Wilkesboro. Though she moved to Raleigh in 2021 to be closer to family, her heart remained in Wilkesboro.

Lois is survived by her daughters, Laura Bacon (Jim) of Richmond, Virginia; Lecia Bentley of Greensboro, North Carolina; and Beth Casey (Steve) of Wake Forest, North Carolina; as well as her grandsons, Zack Casey (Lindsay), Logan Casey (Erika), and James Bacon; her great-grandson, Jacob Casey; step-granddaughters, Sara Sarrett and Viginia Martin and their families, multiple nieces and nephews, and honorary grandson, Michael Smith.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, February 16, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro, with the Reverend Dr. Bert Young officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. There will be a private entombment at Scenic Memorial Gardens.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the hospice workers at Heartland, caregivers at Calyx Senior Living, and the many friends who supported her in recent months. The family gives a special thanks to Lakiesha Rockcliffe for her compassionate care during the last six months.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in her honor to the First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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