Prudence Bentley

Prudence Allen Bentley, 98, of Ithaca, New York, passed away peacefully at home on December 26, 2025, with her son by her side.

Prudence was born on May 7, 1927, in Ithaca, New York, to Cornell University professors Arthur and Elsa Allen. As the youngest of five siblings, she was raised in an intellectually rich community shaped by curiosity, scholarship, and a love of the natural world.

Prudence attended Smith College before completing her bachelor's degree at Cornell University in 1948. A gifted thespian, she received a full scholarship to pursue an acting career in New York City before discerning a different calling. While living in New York, she worked in various professional roles and began her life as a mother to her two children, Christopher and Joanna. In 1960, she returned to Ithaca, where she became an elementary school teacher-marking the beginning of her life's work in the study of how young children learn.

In 1971, in a pursuit to become a better teacher and mother, Prudence studied theology at Faith Theological Seminary. She excelled academically and translated the gospel of John and the book of Revelation from Greek. In 1978, she pursued graduate study at Cornell, developing innovative curricula in reading, writing, and mathematics. Her lifelong scholarship culminated in a late-in-life treatise, The Physics of Knowing, which articulates her conviction that children teach themselves, and that education flourishes when the teacher creates space for the child's discovery process.

Prudence married Roland Bentley in 1976, and they shared a devoted marriage of 33 years. Roland was deeply supportive of her scholarly pursuits, and Prudence was equally supportive of his work in vocal music, pastel painting, and cooking. After Roland's passing in 2009, she moved to Atlanta to live with her son Chris and his two daughters.

Prudence raised her children to be "calm, cool, and collected," encouraging them always to "keep their sense of humor" and to remember that "the only thing that matters is the truth." She loved life and pursued it with gratitude, forgiveness, and kindness toward all. Each of these values were rooted in her deep love for Jesus and people, and she will be forever remembered as a woman of great faith.

Prudence is survived by her two children, Chris Allen of Chattanooga, TN and Joanna Jones (Jerry) of North Carolina; her grandchildren, Carlisle Allen of Chattanooga, Maggie Philpotts (Jake) of Milton, GA, David Jones (Anya) of Los Angeles, CA, and Elizabeth Jetton (Justin) of Fuquay-Varina, NC; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Prudence's name to one of the following ministries:

CitizensofHeaven.church

sozochatt.com

bekn.org

A celebration of life service will be held in Chattanooga on Saturday, January 10, at 1:00 p.m. at Citizens of Heaven Church, located at 149 East MLK Boulevard. The family will receive guests at a reception immediately following the service at the Mountain City Club at 216 W. Eighth St.