PORTSMOUTH—Delores "Dee" Peggy Bentley was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. She left this world suddenly on September 21, 2022 at age 75.

Dee was born to Thomas and Edith Rice on October 26, 1946. After high school, she worked as a hairdresser for many years, but her favorite role was that of mother to her nine children. She was a great cook who stressed the value of a shared meal around a table. She enjoyed making gifts of her many artistic endeavors and playing board games with friends and family.

Dee was secure in her faith in Jesus Christ, and her family takes comfort in the knowledge that she resides in Heaven.

In addition to her parents, Dee was preceded in death by her brothers, Jerry and Thomas Rice, Jr., and her sister, Carlotta Skelton. She is survived by her husband, William James Bentley, Sr.; her children: Brian Sizelove, Carlotta Turner, Mark Bentley (Heppy), Bill Bentley (Adria), Thomas Bentley (LeeAnn), Chrisha Dilley (Devin), Craig Bentley (Krista), Timothy Elliott, and Nichole Bentley; her fifteen grandchildren: Ocean, Trever, Tristan, Nadia, Kyle, Madison, Claire, Adelise, Elliott, Christian, James, Damian, Alyssa, Zoriah, and McKinnley; and many nieces and nephews, including Lanette Moulton, who gently held her hand as she passed into Glory.

A graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 6, at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, 4569 Shoulders Hill Rd., Suffolk. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.