Caroline Hayes Bentley went to the Lord on August 11, 2025. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, she blessed us all with her gentle and loving nature. She perhaps epitomizes William Wordsworth’s quote, “The best portion of a good person’s life is their little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.” 

She was a woman who loved her church and tried to live Biblical principles. Jesus said, “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” and she worked behind the scenes, never calling attention to herself, to clothe and feed those in need. She was a lover of music, sewing, quilting, cooking for others, teaching Sunday School, studying the Bible, and teaching language to non-English speakers. She rarely raised her voice or spoke in anger.

Born in 1935 to Doris Bumgarner Hayes and Joseph Allie Hayes, Caroline was educated in the Wilkes County schools, graduating from Wilkes Central High. She then attended and graduated from Greensboro Women’s College (now UNCG). Later she earned a certificate in Interior Design at Randolph Technical College.

Caroline met her future husband in a ninth-grade algebra class. In 1959, she married Ralph L. Bentley, MD. After stops in Chapel Hill, Little Rock, San Antonio, Albany, Ga., and Durham, they moved to Statesville, where they became vibrant members of First Baptist Church and the larger community.

Caroline is survived by her husband, Ralph; their three children, Randy (Kim), Margie Davison (Phil) and Melissa; and five grandchildren, Caroline (Adam), Sarah, Luke (Kelly), Jayce (Robert), and Drew; and her brother, Joe Hayes of North Wilkesboro; and niece, Sherri Cordel (Rob).

Family will receive friends Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 4 until 6 p.m. in the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church. The service celebrating her life begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 17, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, Caroline asked that people make a donation to First Baptist Church.

Caroline’s last days were brightened by — and the family greatly appreciates — the notes, flowers, visits, food, and kind words others shared with her and her family during her sickness and this time of mourning. The family is also grateful to Caroline’s primary medical team and to the palliative and hospice professionals who took such great care of her in her final month; their compassion and care were offered with attentiveness, grace and warmth.

Troutman Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Caroline Bentley.