SERVICES:  Saturday, February 3, 2024

Graveside

900 a.m.

INTERMENT:  Harry Family Cemetery

Poplarville, Mississippi

Graveside services for Mrs. Rachel Bentley will be held at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, February 3, 2024 at the Harry Family Cemetery in Poplarville.

Mrs. Rachel Bentley was born Rachel Louise Harry on November 20, 1951, in Poplarville, Mississippi.  She was the firstborn and only daughter of Ben Louis Harry and Willie Bell Harry.  Rachel had five younger brothers she helped care for: Ben, Stanley, Charles, Daniel, and Dwayne.  To them, she was larger than life. She was only viewed otherwise when they saw her in a picture, as they all stood over 6 feet tall.  She appreciated the country life as a child.  She would often stand on top of her daddy's Chevy pick up and bellow out as loud as her lungs would sustain, pretending to be an opera singer as the sound echoed into the natural acoustical surroundings Jehovah created.

On April 14, 1973, Rachel married Jim Bentley and had 3 children, Jimmy, Lori, and Leslie.  With earnest prayer for divine guidance, the young couple embraced the responsibility of successfully raising their children in a perilous world.  Then, one day, while praying, there was a knock at the door.  Rachel began studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, and, in 1979, she and Jim were baptized.  For Rachel, this dedication to her God guided her every step as a woman, wife, and mother: "She is clothed with strength and splendor, and she looks to the future with confidence." (Proverbs 31:25).  As a devout wife, Rachel complemented her husband (Genesis 2:18), and as a great team, their story continued.

As a resourceful and capable wife and mother, Rachel was a natural entrepreneur and employer to friends in her house cleaning business.  She was also a catalyst in the establishment of the family's automotive business.  (Proverbs 31:10) In 1985, the family moved from Biloxi, Mississippi, to Smyrna, Georgia where Rachel's real estate savviness negotiated the purchase of a house in Marietta.  Later, while ministering in Douglasville, she identified a place that became the family's homestead. (Proverbs 31:16) Over the years, the Bentley home was opened for congregation Bible studies, field service groups, and hospitality.  Rachel's resourcefulness continued as a mother and grandmother.  Her children were well fed, well dressed, and clean.  She baked the best biscuits and was a skilled seamstress who made dresses for her girls and suits for her boy. (Proverbs 3 1:19-22) On one vacation, the Bentley family's Bible-based example impressed a distinguished couple who insisted on paying for their dinner.  Indeed, Rachel's loving and tireless care for her husband, children, and grandchildren literally paid off.

Ultimately, Rachel was known for her zealous ministry.  "Let's go knock on some doors!"  And despite the long walks over rugged terrain, she gracefully maintained stylish heels with energetic grandbabies in tow.  Truly, Rachel was a respected woman of God who generously supported her many friends who counted on her for wisdom, patience, advice, and consolation. Ultimately, in 1995, as Rachel continued to be a zealous preacher of the good news, she achieved her goal of attending the pioneer school for full time public ministers.  Despite Rachel's exceptional beauty and sense of style with vintage fashions, "… beauty is fleeting, but the woman who fears Jehovah will be praised." (Proverbs 31:30), Rachel's spirituality was the crown on her head.  This was increasingly apparent as her illness and challenges progressed.

On January 18, 2024, in the comfort of her Douglasville home, Rachel Bentley fell asleep in death. She is remembered as a loving Christian woman, wife, mother, and friend who always carried herself with dignity and class.  In fact, it was said "She could have taught classes on how to be a lady".  Her virtues, particularly her spirituality, strengthened her to "fight the fine fight of the faith" with courage and determination.  (1 Timothy 6:12)

While contending with cancer, Rachel continually "pulled" on Jehovah's power beyond what is normal.  She logged in to the morning and evening letter writing /phone witnessing arrangement, where she encouraged others with laughter.  "One call, that's all!" or "Give me a 'good' number to call", she'd humorously exclaim so she could share the message of hope with interested neighbors.  This included a young lady she contacted by phone, who later began studying the Bible with her daughter, Leslie.  The Bible study began the same evening of Rachel's death.  Rachel set goals of being in-person for congregational meetings and the ministry, despite pain, with a rollator and eventually a wheelchair.   Although in severe pain, she made an eight-hour trip by car to hear her grandson's first student bible reading at his congregation.

To the end, Rachel remained "whole souled" in her devotion to her family, friends, and, most importantly, to her heavenly Father, Jehovah.  Yet, this is not the end; Rachel Bentley returns soon, in the "new system".