Rufus Benjamin Bartley

Rufus Benjamin Bartley was born on January 18, 1940 in Jacksonville, Florida to Alfonso Bartley and Bertha Brown Bartley. He attended the public schools of Duval County, graduating from Matthew W. Gilbert High School Class of 1958.

He met and married Margaret Shirley Bacon on June 7, 1964. To this union they were blessed with three children. At an early age he accepted Christ as his personal savior. He was a faithful lifelong member of Mount Zion United Methodist Church.

For 28 years Rufus was a dedicated employee with the City of Jacksonville Water and Sewer Department for Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA). Rufus was employed with JEA from 1983 until he retired in 2012.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Toni Shantell Avery; sisters, Ruth Glover (twin), Phyllis Brooks, Altamease Brooks, Mary Ella Bartley and Eartha Lee Graham; and brothers, Melvin Bartley, Robert Bartley, Willie Bartley, James Bartley, Ernest Bartley and Wilbur Bartley.

Rufus leaves to cherish his memory, wife, Margaret Shirley Bartley; children, Sylvia Wilson (Jerome), Kuvon Avery (Tony) and Benjamin Bartley; grandchildren, Anthony Kearney Jr. (Nana), Amilio Kearney (Khayla), Amber Avery, Tony Avery Jr., Tahj Avery and David Wilson; great grandchildren, Anthony Kearney III and Aaron Kearney; brothers, Thomas Bartley (Bessie) and Charles Bartley (Frances); dearest friends and family, Charles Bentley, Murney Johnson and Alvie Bacon; godsons, Terrance Glover and Romello Bentley; and a host of sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and many sorrowing friends.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Northside is serving the family.

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