Obituary of Kathleen W. Dent

Kathleen Dent (née Williams, Rawls) departed this earthly life on Friday, June 2nd, 2023, at the age of 85. She was born on March 8th, 1938, to parents Henrietta (née Lee, Williams, Early) and John Williams Sr. of West Virginia, where she was raised and attended school. She moved to Port Norris, NJ as a young adult where she worked in clam houses before seeking a career as a teacher's aide at Millville High School. Later, she moved to Roanoke, VA for several years before returning to New Jersey. She then worked at Vineland Developmental Center for many years before retiring at the age of 62. She was beloved and well-known in and around Cumberland County and resided in her senior years at Spring Valley Adult Community Apartments until her death. Kathleen married Richard Dent, who preceded her in death. Through their union came her two sons, Thomas E. Dent and James K. Dent (Rosalee). Later in life she married Zebedee Rawls. Kathleen named Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She studied the Bible throughout her life in association with John Wesley United Methodist Church in Port Norris, NJ. She often quoted a favorite, Psalm 23. She is survived by; her son, James K. Dent (Rosalee) of Vineland; her grandson, whom she raised and later adopted as her own, Thomas Dent Jr. (Erica); sibling, Frances B. Samuels; two step daughters, Belinda Hall and Donna Dent; grandchildren, DeShan Gaskins, Monique Hedrick (Jesse), Kenisha Dent, and Chelsea Dent; great grandchildren, Nathaniel Dent, Violet Dent, Skylar Dent, Tristan Sherman, Rachael Hedrick , and Pedro Cruz III; in-laws, Catherine Dent Johnson and Sara Dent as well as their children and a host of nieces and nephews residing in Maryland, Connecticut, and West Virginia. The family tree is vast, including a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends too numerous to list, who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by; her husbands, Richard Dent and Zebedee Rawls; her son, Thomas E. Dent Sr.; step son, Richard Dent; and siblings, Anne Hopewell and John B. Williams. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, June 13th at 11 AM at the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Twp. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 10 AM to 11AM prior to the services. Interment will take place at Haleyville United Methodist Cemetery, Steep Run Rd, Commercial Twp. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website www.padgettfuneralhomes.com