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The life of Frederick Jerome Bentley began on July 30, 1954, in Jacksonville, Florida. Fred was the first-born child of Henry (HC) and Annie Bentley and eldest grandchild of Henry and Clara Bentley. Fred and his family lived in the St. Nicholas area of Jacksonville before moving to Callahan Street in the 1960’s. As the eldest of seven children Fred always saw himself as the protector especially for his 5 sisters. Growing up Fred was very athletic and enjoyed playing football, basketball, and tennis. Some of Fred’s favorite childhood memories were beach trips with his family and traveling to Georgia and Chicago to visit family. Fred attended the local schools in Duval County graduating from Samuel W. Wolfson High School in 1972. He began working for BE Aerospace where he was a dedicated and faithful worker for over 30 years. He later began working for Kaman Aerospace where he retired in 2020.
On August 21, 1992 Fred was united in Holy Matrimony to Hazel Wilson. God allowed this union to survive 30 years of love, commitment and forgiveness. Whenever Fred mentioned his marriage, he would always say “I prayed to God for a wife and he sent me Hazel and I thank him for that”. Fred’s favorite scripture concerning marriage was “what God has joined together let no man separate”.
Fred’s Christian journey began when he gave his life to Christ and joined Community Baptist Church. He later moved his membership to Christian United Baptist under the leadership of Pastor John Hicks where he served faithfully for nearly 20 years. In 2013 Fred moved his membership to New Beginnings Outreach Ministries to worship and fellowship with his family. Brother Fred loved his New Beginnings church family and was proud to be a part of what God was doing in the ministry.
Fred lived a fulfilled purpose driven life. He had a special kind of love when it came to fishing. He caught fish for anyone who wanted fish and didn’t charge anyone. His only rule was” If I catch him you gotta clean him”. Fred enjoyed playing sports and looking at all kinds of sports (football, baseball, basketball, swimming, tennis, golf, etc.). Fred’s favorite NFL team was the Oakland Raiders; his favorite College teams were FSU and UM; his favorite Golf player was Tiger Woods; and his favorite Tennis players were Venus and Serena Williams. Fred enjoyed camping, traveling the world and taking advantage of every opportunity that life offered. One of Fred’s bucket lists was to travel to Oakland and attend a Raiders game. In 2019 one of his closest friends, Lonnie made this possible and they traveled to Oakland and attended the Raiders game. Fred’s greatest fulfillment was the love he had for his family. He loved all his family with his entire heart and there was no doubting his love. He tried his best to support and attend anything family related.
Fred’s favorite family time was the “Bentley’s Homes for the Holidays”. One of his dying wishes to his Pastor/Nephew was to make sure his mom is taken care of and keep the family together”!
Frederick Jerome Bentley went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 6:42am. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Cellus Bentley; brother, Horace Holmes; grandchildren, Marvida Sinclair and Zamari Hodge; father-in-law, Ezell Wilson; and mother-in-law, Ruby Wilson; and a host of other loving family members.
Fred leaves to cherish his fond memories, his loving mother, Annie L. Bentley; wife of 30 years, Hazel Bentley; daughters, Akima T. Sherrill, Lakese Moses and Karen Wilson; sons, Donovan Wilson and Demetrius Wilson; siblings, Barbara Hartley, Shelia Davis, Anna Roberts (Larry), Andrea Bentley, Stephanie Bentley and Torrey Bentley; grandchildren, Shekima Sherrill, Harold Samuel, IV, Kymar Thomas, Walter Allen, Aiden Lawson, Blandon Dean, Jr., Zora Moses, Spentavus Long, Mar’kes Hodge, Cheryl Hodge, Devanni Wilson, Nehemiah Baker and Ricardo Lawrence; great grandson, Dylan Gordon; great uncle, Deacon Curtis Bentley; uncles, Charles Bentley (Carolyn) and Deacon Lynn Bentley (Sallie); aunt, Lelia Bentley; godmother, Lottie Adams; godchildren, Chantina Davis, Amy McDowell and Nicholas Taylor; in-laws, Ezell Wilson, Jr., Betty Boyd (Louis) and Ira Fowler (Elbert); devoted friends, Lonnie Sessions (Patricia) and Donnell Hagans (Debra); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends.
Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Southside is serving the Family.
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