Jeffrey W Bentley

JEFFREY (JEFF) WAYNE BENTLEY, 49, beloved pastor of West Cleveland Baptist Church in Cleveland, died May 4 following a two year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family, friends and his West Cleveland Baptist Church family, where he had served as pastor for the past four years. Pastor Bentley has served other Baptist churches in Bradley County throughout his ministry, including Beacon Baptist Church and Bethel Baptist Tabernacle. He is survived by his wife Tammy Marr Bentley; daughters Caitlin and Courtney, son-in-law Adrian Rymer and grandson Nathaniel; his parents, Bill and Evonne Bentley of Cleveland; sister Tina Thomas of Cleveland; brother Jason Bentley of Cleveland; grandmother Edna (Nanny) Laughter, of Cleveland; and mother in law Arlene Marr of Cleveland. He is also survived by members of his West Cleveland Baptist family and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his great grandparents, Walter Virgil Elrod and Bella Mae Elrod; grandparents Buck and Easter Bentley and his father in law Tom Marr Sr. An avid sportsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an active member of the Tennessee Deer. He was a member of the Sons of the Confederacy and a supporter of the Cleveland Civitan Club. Relay for Life and St. Jude Children?s Hospital. A Victory in Jesus Celebration of Pastor Bentley?s life will be held Sunday, 2 p.m. at West Cleveland Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Phil Taylor, director of missions for Bradley Baptist Association, Tommy Marr Jr., brother in law, will take part, along with a eulogy by Mayor Tom Rowland, also a brother in law. Special music by Jack Grooms, music director for West Cleveland Baptist Church. Deacons of West Cleveland Baptist Church will serve as Honorary pallbearers. Active Pallbearers will be: Mike Burnette, Jason Bentley, Adrian Rymer, Q. A. Laughter, Jeff Hembree, Keith Buddemeyer, Brent Collette, Gary Rymer and Gilbert Geren. Interment will be in The Good Shepherd Mausoleum in Sunset Memorial Gardens with a white dove release. Memorials may be made to: West Cleveland Baptist Church, 1959 Westland Dr SW, Cleveland Civitan Club or St. Jude Children?s Research Hospital. Family will receive friends Saturday, 4 to 8 p.m. at the Ralph Buckner Funeral Home.