A celebration of the life of homegoing service for John "Man" H. Bentley, January 24, 1920-November 5, 2010, Wednesday, November 10, 2010, 1:00 p.m., Ebenezer Baptist Church, Lincolnton, Georgia, Reverend Fred Perriman, pastor, presiding, Reverend Roy D. Andrews, eulogy

January 24, 1920

November 5, 2010

Mr. John H. "Man" Bentley
In Loving Memory
Order o f Service Photos
Acknowledgements

God saw you were g ettin g tired A n d a cure was not to be,
So H e p u t H is arm s a ro u n d you A n d whispered, "Come to me. " W ith te a rfu l eyes we watched you,
A n d saw you pass away. A lthough we loved you dearly,
We could not m ake you stay. A golden heart stopped beating,
H a rd w orking hands a t rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us,
H e only takes the best.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
A Celebration of the Life of
and
Homegoing Service
John H. ({Manv Bentley
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2010 1:00 PM
EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH Lincolnton, Georgia
Reverend Fred Perriman, Pastor ~ Presiding Reverend Roy D. Andrews, Eulogy
In Loving Memory
Order of Service

Obituary
John H . "M an" Bentley was born on January 24, 1920, in Lincolnton, Georgia to the late Emma Parker Bentley and the late John Bentley. He passed away peacefully on Friday, November 5, 2010.
The grandson o f formerly enslaved people, Mr. Bentley learned in 2009 that he descends on his maternal side from the Fulani people in what is now known as Nigeria.
Mr. Bentley was a World War II Army Veteran, having served from June 26, 1942 to November 14, 1945. Among his military accomplishments, he was most proud o f serving his country in Algeria (North Africa) and Italy. His honors include the American Theater Service Ribbon, the European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, the World War II Victory Ribbon, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and two battle stars.
On June 26, 1945, he was united in holy matrimony with Josephine Murray. From this union, five children were born. The consummate family man, Mr. Bentley not only dedicated his life to serving his wife and children, he also was an active and influential participant in the rearing and development o f his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was a member o f Ebenezer Baptist Church where he proudly served as a trustee, an active member o f the NAACP during the tumultuous 60s, and founder and manager/coach for the Boy Scout Tigers. Following his military service, Mr. Bentley drove for the motor pool at Fort Gordon, Georgia until he retired in 1979.
An accomplished man, Mr. Bendey loved to play the guitar and was a skilled technician -- able to fix almost anything. He leaves a legacy o f family-centeredness, a strong work ethic, and an unmatchable spirit o f giving.
A tirelessly devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, he is survived by his loving and devoted wife o f 65 years, Mrs. Josephine Murray Bentley; children: Mrs. Ruth Weston, Mrs. Elizabeth (Fred) Kennedy, Mr. Alexander (Deloris) Bentley, Mrs. Judieth Rutherford, and Mrs. Bernice (George) Hamilton; grandchildren: Ms. Tonya Rutherford, Mr. Damany Weston, Mrs. Shannon (Darrien) Bentley Patterson, Ms. Cheryl Hamilton Strobridge, Mrs. Elfreda (Derek) Kennedy Ivey, Mr. Darrell Bendey, Ms. Lonna Hamilton, and Mr. Frederick Kennedy; great grandchildren: D 'Antre Strobridge, Demontrez Ivey, Alicia Ivey, Damari Weston, Demarious Ivey, Israel Hamilton, and Hailey Patterson; special cousin and friend, Luther Johnson; a host o f nieces and nephews; and scores o f other relatives and friends.
Order of Service

Order o f Service Presiding, Reverend Fred Perriman
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Processional ................. ......................................................................................... Mr. Ellis Johnson
Song ............................... .................................................................................. Mr. Maurice Andrews
Scripture Old Testam ent....... ................................................................... Reverend Dr. Nathaniel Irvin Old Storm Branch Baptist Church New Testament...... .....................................................................Reverend Dr. Victor Thomas Greater Mount Canaan Baptist Church
Prayer ............................ ................................................................................... Dea. Randy Andrews
Reflections .................. .....................................................Dea. Joseph Brown, Church Member
Song ............................... ....................................................................................... Ms. Betty Freeman
Eulogy ........................... ........................................................................ Reverend Roy D. Andrews Rocky Mount Baptist Church
Recessional
Interment ..................... ......................................................................................... Church Cemetery
Order of Service

Mr. Edward Mathis Mr. John Thomas Norman
Mr. Johnnie Stidom Mr. Robert Stidom
Pallbearers Great Nephews ofJohn H. Bentley
Honorary FCower Bearers
Nieces ofJohn H. Bentley Mrs. Mattie Bell Dent Mrs. Catherine Jennings Mrs. Lucille Talbert
Ffewer Bearers
Great Nieces ofJohn H. Bentley
A cknow ledgem ents
Perhaps you presented a flower, sent a card, dropped in to pay us a visit, gave us words of cheer, brought food, called to let us know you care, said a sincere prayer, or just simply wished us well - whatever the part, we, the Bentley family, extend to our many relatives and friends our deepest appreciation for helping us through this time.
A special thanks to Dr. Brian Cox, Dr. Kevin Cochran, Dr. William Smith, DaVita Wyld's Road Dialysis, and the staff of Doctors Hospital's Intensive Care Unit for their care and support; to Reverend Roy D. Andrews, Reverend Fred Perriman, and Reverend Dr. Victor Thomas for religious guidance; to Nurse Linda Gordon for her comfort; to Mr. Austin (Tom) Morman for researching and obtaining our father's military medals; and to family, friends and Ebenezer Baptist Church for their support and concern.
At the family's request, there will be no repast. ~

Will the circle be unbroken By and by, by and by?
In a better home awaiting In the sky, in the sky?
In the joyous days o f childhood, Oft they told o f wondrous love,
Pointed to the dying Savior, N ow they dwell with H im above.
From the song " Will the Circle Be U nbroken?"
W. H . Mays M ortuary "Professional Service A Family Tradition Since 1922"
1221 James Brown Boulevard Augusta, Georgia 30901 (706) 722-6401

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