Ella Bentley Little

Ella Bentley Little, age 99, of Jonancy, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at the Pikeville Medical Center. She was born on March 2, 1927 at Beefhide, Kentucky.

Ella was the beloved daughter of the late Simon Bentley and Virgie Little Bentley. She was also preceded in death by six children:  Daniel Ray Wright, Clayton Wright,  Gequetta Newsome, Larry Dean Wright, Clyde Wright ,Rondall Wright: three grandchildren: Daniel Wright, Glen Newsome and Chris Wright:; and nine brothers and sisters: Ryley Bentley, Sarah Bentley, Joe Bentley, Nannie Bentley, Jessie Bentley White, Alora Bentley Mullins, Odie Bentley, Oma Bentley Wright and Wanda Bentley Mullins. .She found companionship and joy in her marriages to Melvin Wright and Crit Little, both of whom also preceded her in death. Throughout her long and eventful life, Ella demonstrated remarkable devotion to the Old Regular Baptist Church for over 49 years.  She was baptised March 6, 1977 at Beefhide, KY and later became a member of Union Old Regular Baptist Church.

She is lovingly remembered by her children: Terry Wright, and his wife Diana; Jody Michael Wright and his wife Trula; and Sharon Lynn Damron,  Ella is also survived by her brother Teddy Bentley and his wife Ruby, one sister, Betty Stewart; thirteen grandchildren: John Wright, Shannon Wright, Darrin Wright, Ricky Wright, Amy Wright, Keith Wright, Sarah McPeek, Kevin Wright, Brian Wright, Ashley Ray, Derek Damron, Terry Wayne Wright, Stacy Wright, twenty four great grandchildren and eleven great-great grandchildren.

. Those who knew her remember her as a source of guidance and comfort, who quietly shaped the lives around her through countless acts of kindness.

Her presence will be deeply missed and  remembered by all whose lives she touched.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, after 6 PM at the Union Old Regular Baptist Church.  Funeral services will be held on Friday at 12 Noon with Tony Bentley and others officiating.  Burial will follow in the Johnson-Bentley Cemetery at Beefhide, Kentucky.

Special services will be held on Wednesday and Thursday nights at 7 PM.