Beverly Ann Wentz

Beverly Ann Wentz, fondly known as ‘Lil Bebs’, has passed away at the age of 84 in Greensboro, North Carolina. She was born to Mildred Markley and William DeTurk in Sellersville, PA in 1939. Raised in Hatfield, PA, she attended Hatfield High School as class of 1957 and graduated from Thomas Jefferson University in 1960 in the field of nursing. She married Edward L. Wentz Jr. in 1960. They moved to Telford where they raised their children and she worked for pediatrician Dr. Thomas. She and Edward moved to Oak Ridge, NC in 1983, where she was an RN at Ravenel Clinic before moving to work with PHP, and then United Health Care. Beverly was a devout follower of Christ, formidable Scrabble player, avid enjoyer of crossword puzzles, Tom & Jerry cartoons, Animal Planet, and making baked goods for the entire family before they would embark on a road trip. She tended to a large garden in her backyard for 40 years and sustained the local flora and fauna. She was reliable in her knowledge of plants, birds, and insects, and her home was often filled with the sounds of her piano playing later in life. Following Hurricane Katrina, she and Edward traveled to Mississippi and stayed for a month to provide emergency aid to those affected. They also made multiple trips to Kisangani and Zimbabwe in Africa to bring water to surrounding towns and provide medical aid. It was here she met Africa University student Isaiah Njimbu Chot and they began Child Action Initiative/Shoes & Socks for Isaiah’s Kids. In the 15 years since the founding of these organizations, she raised thousands of dollars to send children to school, adults to Africa University, and brought running water and clean resources to these towns she visited. And yet, through all of her hobbies, excursions, and experiences, there was nothing more important to her than family.

She was preceded in death by parents Mildred Markley and William DeTurk, sister Mary Lou DeTurk, and brother William DeTurk Jr.

Those surviving include: husband Edward L. Wentz Jr., son Edward L. Wentz III (wife Nancy Goldfinch), daughter Beth A. Freed (husband Gary Freed), grandchildren Alex E. Freed (wife Kristianna Freed), Jennifer D. Shelly (husband Christopher Shelly), and Sydney A. Wentz. Her great grandchildren include: Holly, Bria, Calvin, and Hannah Freed as well as Lincoln and Miles Shelly.

The service for Beverly Ann Wentz will be held on Saturday, June 29th at 11:00am in the sanctuary of Oak Ridge Methodist Church. A visitation will begin at 10:00am. An open reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall immediately after the service.