Sophia Anne Bentley, age 18, left her earthly home unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. She was preceded in death by grandparents Roy and Agnes Bentley, Carol Persons, and Jack Edwards. She was loved and adored by her parents Tom and Robin; and sister, Olivia (Johnson Nguyen); grandparents Pat and Duard Warsen and Butch Persons; aunts and uncles Kathy and Jim Ringnalda, Tom and Denise Persons, Tanya and Lance Abbert, Bill Bentley, Michele and Leo Perez, Barb and Joe Keller, Corene Edwards, and Jack Edwards; great-aunts and -uncles; the Warsen family; cherished friends Helen Metcalf, Kim Navarro, and Heidi Voetberg; as well as too many amazing cousins, neighbors, and friends to count. Her heart had been recently touched by Maggie Juncaj, Kali Kincaid, Erin Morrisey, and Eli Smith.
Sophia graduated from Byron Center High School in May of 2022 and was a proud member of the women’s soccer team. Active in so many aspects of the school and community, Sophia was happiest spending her time at Young Life. Her faith, like her family and friends, was incredibly important to her. In August of 2022, Sophia enrolled at Davenport University to pursue a degree in nursing. After only one semester in college, Sophia established friendships that were meant to last a lifetime. While her professional goal was to become a nurse practitioner, Sophia’s ultimate goal was to raise a family of her own. Her love of children, from young cousins to neighbors to daycare kids, was always a central part of her life.
Sophia blessed the lives of every person who knew her. There has been an overwhelming flood of memories shared by those she touched throughout her eighteen years. She spent many hours engrossed in long lunch conversations with family and friends—one of her most cherished pastimes—and was the first person to offer kind words or a supportive presence. Sophia was, above all, the embodiment of love.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 20, 2023 in the Byron Center Chapel at Cook Funeral Home (2067 84th St. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315). A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Heritage Christian Reformed Church (3089 84th St. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315), with visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. In memory of Sophia and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Young Life Grand Rapids Southwest or Byron Center High School Women’s Soccer. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresbyron.com.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIOCOMPARTA
v.1.11.6