Margaret Rachel Bentley Potts passed away Saturday, December 19, 2009 in her Idaho home. She was born November 20, 1920 to William David and Daisy Maude (Davis) Bentley in Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee, joining an older brother, C.W. and sister, Sissie.She lived in Wrigley at the Tennessee Products & Chemical Corporation section house where her father worked. When Rachel was 13 years old, she along with her brother & sister, received a special surprise from their parents...a new baby sister, Tootsie. As a child one of her favorite places to visit was in Montgomery Co., TN, at her grandparents, Mammy & Pappy's home. After she finished school, she moved to Cincinnati where she worked as a waitress & at that time discovered her love & talent for poetry writing. Later, her children would be brought up on learning of their mother's life through her poetic talents telling of her life as a cafe waitress in Cincinnati. In 1943, Rachel joined the Women's Army Corp where she worked in a variety of clerical positions. One of her life long relationships was with a fellow WAC, Abbie Cressman, who she had contact with up to the present day. After three years of army life, she discharged honorably. She returned to Cincinnati hoping to find success in a modeling career. Rachel met her husband, Buford Potts in Lyles, Tennessee. They, living in close proximity, her entire life, always knew of each other, but a more formal meeting occurred at Lampley's Cafe one evening while Buford was home on leave from the navy. They were married in 1938 and began life as a navy couple in Long Beach, California then remarrying again in 1946. They transferred to Norfolk, Virginia because of Buford's navy career, moving to South Norfolk. There they formed life long friendships with their neighbors, Grace & William Starrette, who became their closest friends. After the birth of their first two children, they transferred to Kentucky, where their third child, another son, was born. To this union three children were born, Judy, Mike and Tim. With their family complete & Buford's naval retirement, they returned to their roots and purchased a home in Burns, Tennessee where Rachel was a stay at home Mom. 1n 1958, they chose to return to Norfolk as Rachel had formed a deep love for the Tidewater area. Purchasing a home in the Tarrelton section better known as Roosevelt Gardens, they had found their long time home. Through the years the neighborhood became home with the help of neighbors who forever friends, like the Broomes, Donahoos, Harts, and Causbys. There Rachel learned the talents of lamp making from her years as an employee at the Lamp & Gift Mart on Colley Ave. She also worked at Maxam's Discount Store where she first became acquainted with working in a supervisory capacity. It was during this time she rededicated her life to Christ and became a member of Azalea Baptist Church. She was a member of the Sunday School class. Retiring, they returned to their roots in Tennessee where they set up house in Burns, Tennessee for four years. before moving to Norfolk, Virginia in 1958. There, Rachel worked at the Lamp & Gift Mart on Colley Ave. For several years acquiring friendships lasting into her senior years. She loved to travel and took several trips throughout the country as well as Europe, the Carribean, and the Orient. In 1966, Rachel moved with her family to Guam for five years, living in Tamuning and Dededo. There too, she formed lifelong friendship with many she worked with at South Seas Trading Company. It was on Guam, she began using her first name rather than her middle name that her family had always used. In 1971, with the addition of two daughter- in- laws, Margaret and "part" of her family returned to her "beloved" Norfolk where she worked as a supervisor for J.C. Penney,Lamp & Gift Department, till her retirement in 1988. Her marriage to Buford ended in 1979 with his passing. Upon retirement, she sought out five different senior citizen clubs, choosing her "favorite," the 60-Plus Club in Ocean View. She loved honoring the role of President for a couple of different terms, glorifying in the involvement of creating different shows to entertain the members who became like a second family to her. Her love of dancing was ehanced through the regular attendance with her club friends at their club parties and others they attended. There she made many friendships, one in particular, who became her companion till her family suggestively moved her to live with them in South Dakota, where she lived for ten months before moving to Idaho Falls, Idaho. During her early retirement years, she once again devoted her time to poetry writing. She became a member of the International Poetry Society having her works published with them. She wrote a worthy submission for the new honorary Virginia State Song. Her friend Joyce among others, joined her in regular luncheons in celebration of the Red Hat Society. She did not speak much of the saddness of leaving "her" Norfolk, but it was obvious. Her fond memories were many. Her family was whole and was young there. It was a place of many wonderful memories, hers alone & hers shared. Her heart will always be there with her many dear friends. As her children, we salute her dedication to us and to our family. We thank her for her love, caring and giving selflessly and selfishly. We thank her for the talents she has handed down to us that we give to our children and grandchildren. She was a wonderful example of mothering. Margaret & her sisters had a special & deep love for the animal world but mostly for cats which has been handed down to her heirs. Margaret dearly loved and looked forward to the calls of those who stayed in touch with her after her move from Norfolk whether friend or family. Her many friends from her club in her recent years were involved in her welfare during those last months in Norfolk. All of you are appreciated for looking in on her & running errands for her. One person who proved to be a faithful friend during that time was Joyce Dannerman, who will always hold a special place in the hearts of her children. Margaret received a lot of enjoyment from the many felines she has loved and they have willingly given their love to her. She wrote and constructed a small paperback book sharing & dedicating her memories of her cats and other family member's cats she has loved through the years, gifting her family a few Christmases ago. One of her greatest loves was her friend, Chiisai, who was her dear feline companion for over twenty years. Margaret Rachel was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, her parents, her brother, C. W. as well as three great nephews. She is survived by her children, Judy VanDewater, Idaho Falls, ID; Mike & Arlina Potts, Asan, Guam; Tim Potts, Corpus Christi, Texas; sisters, Mary(Sissie)Volz, Cincinnati, Oh; Billie (Tootsie) & Bob Helton, Winston-Salem, NC; grandchildren: Kim & Brian Kimball, Hutto, Tx.; Tamara Potts, Oakland, CA; Christopher & Kim Potts, Houston, Tx.; Geody & Jayme VanDewater, Sturgis, SD; Andy & Brenda VanDewater, Rigby, ID; Andrea & Rob Perryment, Fresno, CA; Matt & Wendy VanDewater, Anamosa, IA; Jake & Sommer VanDewater, Leesburg, Va; ; Domonic Joseph Nepper, Rapid City, SD; Samantha Potts, Corpus Christi, Tx; 14 great grandchildren; and her Dear Friend, Ellsworth Penwell and Margaret's special loved one, Cindy Potts.