Mary M. <I>Adams</I> Bentley

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Mary M. Adams Bentley

Birth
Mingo County, West Virginia, USA
Death
14 Aug 2000 (aged 65)
Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky, USA
Burial
Williamstown, Grant County, Kentucky, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Mary M. Bentley of Dry Ridge, Grant County, Kentucky

Mary was the type of friend anyone would be honored to have. At one point I realized, although no one could ever replace my Mom, she sure was close.

She was the type of friend who could tell my mood when I answered the phone. (Before caller ID) I would say hello and she would either say "Hi, Honey" or "What's wrong?"

She was the type of friend who would drive you to the hospital to have a baby. Even though she hadn't driven a standard transmission in over 20 years. LOL While she drove (and I had contractions) I shifted the gears. Did I mention she was driving my 12 day old, brand spankin' new, Ford Explorer? No? Well, that's what she was driving and we all 3 made it safe and sound. Although the 3rd member of our party didn't get to meet us until the next day; My son Brandon Judd 10/02/1992

Mary was a doll maker. She also made ceramics. She had a love for flea markets although her wares could have fetched far more money in a higher end market. She loved what she did and she was very gifted.

She was the worlds greatest baby sitter. I snuck up on her and watched as she taught my then 8 year old daughter make a pillow. All of the children she watched loved her dearly.

I moved away from Grant county and returned to my home place in 1999. When I went to visit someone in GC that someone was Mary. I knew she was ill long before a lot of people. Sigh... it was hard being so far away.

I don't exactly remember the month, May or June... I got a call that she wouldn't make it passed the weekend. I'd seen her Easter weekend and knew she was very ill. When I went into her house it was dark and people were quietly singing hymns. Although I'd recently seen her my heart crushed when I saw my best friend in the world about to die. I sat on her bed side for a while, stroking her arm, crying as hard and as quietly as I could... Her niece told me I should tell her I was there. I said whispered "Mary, it's Vivian" She smiled. Her first question was "How did you get away from Jack to come see me ? (My ex) I told her he and I split up. She smiled again. We chatted for A little while then she let us know she wanted to sit up in the bed. Her niece and I were helping her but she motioned us away. We watched as she slowly sat up in bed then both gasped as she started to fall back wards. What came next shocked both of us. She laughed! LOL My dear sweet Mary! She pranked us!
By the next day that wonderful woman was sitting up, drinking (she hadn't had anything to drink in days) then she walked into the kitchen to eat peaches! I've been told people do this just before they die but I don't remember what it's called. Anyway... just before I left she whispered that she had a surprise for me... I looked around her house at all of the beautiful things this woman owned and thought "All I want is you." She said it again, "I have a surprise for you." I said 'you do?' and she whispered "I'm always going to be with you."


I learned of Mary's death by searching obituaries online. Although I had left several ways to reach me with a couple of people... you know, grief is overwhelming and parting is but the blink of an eye. I guess I was lost in the shuffle so to speak.

While I was searching the obituaries a friend asked why I didn't call to find out. The answer was simple really... I already knew. Deep in my heart I knew she was gone. I just needed to find tangible proof. When I found that proof I was in such shock I screamed. My friend had to carry me to my bed. (I cried as hard for my Mary as I did for either of my parents. She was so good to me.) As I lay there grieving and crying for my friend, my other mother, I heard her whisper, "I'm always going to be with you." When I heard those words a sweet calmness enveloped me. Once again I found comfort and love in her words. I will always here her whisper..."I'm always going to be with you."

She whispered because she died of lung cancer.

I do feel her from time to time...

A couple of years after Mary died I had an almost overwhelming experience. It actually floored me...LOL Well, chaired me. I had to sit down and quickly! I was having a real rough day with my kids... at least 4 of them... I got grouchy and said something to one of them and I "heard", yes heard, clear as a bell, Mary say "You be good to those babies! Those are my babies!" No, it wasn't a memory... Mary never said those words to me while she was living. It wasn't a dream. It was my friend Mary reminding me to be nice! God Bless you Mary. I miss you more and more!

****I no longer have a picture of Mary because our house burned. (maybe she was the one who helped me out of that house without harm?) I would love one if anyone comes across this page that knew her. She traveled the country in a mobile home when she was on the flea market circuit. Mary Bentley, the doll maker.

I do not know where she is buried. The info I found on her obit also went in the fire...

~~~~~~~~~~~
This is what happens when you refuse to give up!

Obituaries
Mary Bentley of Dry Ridge,
always put her children first


Thirty years ago, before many women had taken on non-traditional jobs, Mary Adams Bentley was the lone female spot welder on the factory floor at International Harvester's Fort Wayne, Ind., plant.

But the mother of two was just as at home detailing the intricate hand-painted features of her hand-made reproduction antique dolls.

Those who knew her best say the two trades both reflect her one great priority in life: the happiness of her children.

''The only issue she had was to make sure that her children were taken care of,'' said her granddaughter, Catina Bender.

''Basically, she devoted her life to her children.''

Mary Adams Bentley, 65, of Dry Ridge, died at 9:20 p.m. Monday at St. Elizabeth Hospice Unit, Covington.

Ms. Bentley, grew up in Mingo County, West Virginia, where she had married and had two children by the age of 16. But when she became her youngsters' sole source of support, she left home to take a spot welder's job at International Harvester.

When the company pulled out of Fort Wayne ten years later, Ms. Bentley landed on her feet again. She began a self-taught second career of crafting handmade dolls.

''She usually made ceramic dolls, that she hand-painted and hand made the clothes,'' said Ms. Bender.

''She set up at Caesar Creek Flea Market in Ohio for about 10 years. She was one of those creative people. She could look at something and make it.''

Ms. Bentley was a member of New Life Apostolic Church, Crittenden.

Survivors include a son, William Ellis ''Bubby'' Bentley of Dry Ridge; a daughter, Sandra ''Sissy'' Bentley of Dry Ridge; brothers, William Adams of McAndrews and Walter Adams of Kokomo, Ind.; a sister, Bonnie Parks of New Carlisle, Ohio; two granddaughters, Ms. Bender, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Dawnyelle Dailey of Naples, Fla., and one great-granddaughter.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at New Life Apostolic Church. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 tonight at Elliston-Stanley Funeral Home, Williamstown, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be in Williamstown Cemetery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Some people pass through
this world and leave it
just as they found it.
But people like you
take the time to do
the special things
that make the world
more beautiful."

That tribute is for Renee. She has touched my life. Thank you for sponsoring Mary's page Renee.
She meant a lot to me and although I've not been good at showing it... so do you.
Mary M. Bentley of Dry Ridge, Grant County, Kentucky

Mary was the type of friend anyone would be honored to have. At one point I realized, although no one could ever replace my Mom, she sure was close.

She was the type of friend who could tell my mood when I answered the phone. (Before caller ID) I would say hello and she would either say "Hi, Honey" or "What's wrong?"

She was the type of friend who would drive you to the hospital to have a baby. Even though she hadn't driven a standard transmission in over 20 years. LOL While she drove (and I had contractions) I shifted the gears. Did I mention she was driving my 12 day old, brand spankin' new, Ford Explorer? No? Well, that's what she was driving and we all 3 made it safe and sound. Although the 3rd member of our party didn't get to meet us until the next day; My son Brandon Judd 10/02/1992

Mary was a doll maker. She also made ceramics. She had a love for flea markets although her wares could have fetched far more money in a higher end market. She loved what she did and she was very gifted.

She was the worlds greatest baby sitter. I snuck up on her and watched as she taught my then 8 year old daughter make a pillow. All of the children she watched loved her dearly.

I moved away from Grant county and returned to my home place in 1999. When I went to visit someone in GC that someone was Mary. I knew she was ill long before a lot of people. Sigh... it was hard being so far away.

I don't exactly remember the month, May or June... I got a call that she wouldn't make it passed the weekend. I'd seen her Easter weekend and knew she was very ill. When I went into her house it was dark and people were quietly singing hymns. Although I'd recently seen her my heart crushed when I saw my best friend in the world about to die. I sat on her bed side for a while, stroking her arm, crying as hard and as quietly as I could... Her niece told me I should tell her I was there. I said whispered "Mary, it's Vivian" She smiled. Her first question was "How did you get away from Jack to come see me ? (My ex) I told her he and I split up. She smiled again. We chatted for A little while then she let us know she wanted to sit up in the bed. Her niece and I were helping her but she motioned us away. We watched as she slowly sat up in bed then both gasped as she started to fall back wards. What came next shocked both of us. She laughed! LOL My dear sweet Mary! She pranked us!
By the next day that wonderful woman was sitting up, drinking (she hadn't had anything to drink in days) then she walked into the kitchen to eat peaches! I've been told people do this just before they die but I don't remember what it's called. Anyway... just before I left she whispered that she had a surprise for me... I looked around her house at all of the beautiful things this woman owned and thought "All I want is you." She said it again, "I have a surprise for you." I said 'you do?' and she whispered "I'm always going to be with you."


I learned of Mary's death by searching obituaries online. Although I had left several ways to reach me with a couple of people... you know, grief is overwhelming and parting is but the blink of an eye. I guess I was lost in the shuffle so to speak.

While I was searching the obituaries a friend asked why I didn't call to find out. The answer was simple really... I already knew. Deep in my heart I knew she was gone. I just needed to find tangible proof. When I found that proof I was in such shock I screamed. My friend had to carry me to my bed. (I cried as hard for my Mary as I did for either of my parents. She was so good to me.) As I lay there grieving and crying for my friend, my other mother, I heard her whisper, "I'm always going to be with you." When I heard those words a sweet calmness enveloped me. Once again I found comfort and love in her words. I will always here her whisper..."I'm always going to be with you."

She whispered because she died of lung cancer.

I do feel her from time to time...

A couple of years after Mary died I had an almost overwhelming experience. It actually floored me...LOL Well, chaired me. I had to sit down and quickly! I was having a real rough day with my kids... at least 4 of them... I got grouchy and said something to one of them and I "heard", yes heard, clear as a bell, Mary say "You be good to those babies! Those are my babies!" No, it wasn't a memory... Mary never said those words to me while she was living. It wasn't a dream. It was my friend Mary reminding me to be nice! God Bless you Mary. I miss you more and more!

****I no longer have a picture of Mary because our house burned. (maybe she was the one who helped me out of that house without harm?) I would love one if anyone comes across this page that knew her. She traveled the country in a mobile home when she was on the flea market circuit. Mary Bentley, the doll maker.

I do not know where she is buried. The info I found on her obit also went in the fire...

~~~~~~~~~~~
This is what happens when you refuse to give up!

Obituaries
Mary Bentley of Dry Ridge,
always put her children first


Thirty years ago, before many women had taken on non-traditional jobs, Mary Adams Bentley was the lone female spot welder on the factory floor at International Harvester's Fort Wayne, Ind., plant.

But the mother of two was just as at home detailing the intricate hand-painted features of her hand-made reproduction antique dolls.

Those who knew her best say the two trades both reflect her one great priority in life: the happiness of her children.

''The only issue she had was to make sure that her children were taken care of,'' said her granddaughter, Catina Bender.

''Basically, she devoted her life to her children.''

Mary Adams Bentley, 65, of Dry Ridge, died at 9:20 p.m. Monday at St. Elizabeth Hospice Unit, Covington.

Ms. Bentley, grew up in Mingo County, West Virginia, where she had married and had two children by the age of 16. But when she became her youngsters' sole source of support, she left home to take a spot welder's job at International Harvester.

When the company pulled out of Fort Wayne ten years later, Ms. Bentley landed on her feet again. She began a self-taught second career of crafting handmade dolls.

''She usually made ceramic dolls, that she hand-painted and hand made the clothes,'' said Ms. Bender.

''She set up at Caesar Creek Flea Market in Ohio for about 10 years. She was one of those creative people. She could look at something and make it.''

Ms. Bentley was a member of New Life Apostolic Church, Crittenden.

Survivors include a son, William Ellis ''Bubby'' Bentley of Dry Ridge; a daughter, Sandra ''Sissy'' Bentley of Dry Ridge; brothers, William Adams of McAndrews and Walter Adams of Kokomo, Ind.; a sister, Bonnie Parks of New Carlisle, Ohio; two granddaughters, Ms. Bender, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Dawnyelle Dailey of Naples, Fla., and one great-granddaughter.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at New Life Apostolic Church. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 tonight at Elliston-Stanley Funeral Home, Williamstown, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be in Williamstown Cemetery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Some people pass through
this world and leave it
just as they found it.
But people like you
take the time to do
the special things
that make the world
more beautiful."

That tribute is for Renee. She has touched my life. Thank you for sponsoring Mary's page Renee.
She meant a lot to me and although I've not been good at showing it... so do you.

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