Stephen Thomas Bentley,

Stephen "Stroker" Thomas  Bentley, age 68, of Taylorsville passed away unexpectedly on Thursday morning, March 28 at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born on May 21, 1944 to the late Claude Thomas Bentley and Fannie Lucille Hoke Bentley. He was retired from the furniture business where he had worked for Fashion House, Clayton Marcus and Huntington House. Stephen loved woodworking, fishing, camping and was known for his poetry and love for his family especially his kids, friends and man's best friends - "Tippy, Molly and Stroker." Those left to cherish his memory include his wife - Martha "Lanie" Starnes Bentley, of the home; son - Kevin Bentley and wife Holly; daughter - Shellie Bentley, all of Taylorsville; brother-in-laws - Pete Starnes, of Taylorsville and Sam Starnes, of Granite Falls; sister-in-laws - Carolyn Clark and husband Barry, of Lincolnton and Brenda Bolick, of Taylorsville; aunt - Elvina Whitener, of Bethlehem; cousin - Martha Harwell, who was like a sister, of Hickory; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 30, 2013 from 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm at Alexander Funeral Service and Service will begin at 2:00 pm in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Nicky Treadway and Rev. James Cook, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Bentley Family Cemetery in Taylorsville.