Althea E. Gillette Bentley, age 89 of Sevierville, TN passed away Sunday (January 3, 2016. She was born August 9, 1926 in Fillmore, NY to the late Robert E. and Mabel Maxson Gillette. She was preceded in death by her ex-husband, Oliver J. Bentley and sisters Anita Carter and Wilma Ferris and brothers Donald, Robert, Russell, and Ronald “Ike” Gillette.

She moved to Sevierville, TN in 1991 and was an active member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church where she taught Adult Women's Sunday school for over twenty years. She was a past member of the Birdsall Community Church, Birdsall, NY. She was proud of her role as a member of the Ground Observer Corps during WWII. She was also a ten-year member of the A and I Van Nostrand Women's Relief Corps #169 of Short Tract, NY where she served as Chaplain. Patriotism, politics and animal welfare were some of her many passions. She loved lilacs and hummingbirds, her dogs, bagpipes, chocolate, her children, Irish music, feeding her outside birds, Rocky Top, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, football, baseball, salt rising bread, going to the movies, watching bull riding and wrestling, and books. Her favorite movie was “A Walk in the Clouds”. She had a proverbial green thumb and was an exceptional cook. She was a good friend to many and enjoyed the love of all who met and knew her. She will be remembered as a good and faithful servant of and Soldier for Christ.

She is survived by her sons Robert C. Bentley and Jonathan M. (Cynthia) Bentley of Angelica, NY and James O. (Patricia Ann) Bentley of Sevierville, TN and her daughter Kathleen B. (Robert) Potter of Angelica, NY. She is also survived by her sister Lois (Lowell) Fancher of Fillmore, NY, and her step-son Clayton (Jean) Bentley, her sisters in law Nancy Gillette and Janice Armstrong, her grandchildren Tami (John) Osterhout, Sheri (Justin) Abbey, Christina (Ted) Gordon, Kelly and Andrew Potter, nine step-grandchildren, her great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a local animal shelter or rescue group of your choice.

The family will be present to receive friends on Saturday (January 9, 2016) from 11:30am-1PM, with Funeral Services to follow calling hours at 1:00pm, with Rev. Bill Sylor officating. Interment will be at Short Tract Cemetery at a later date.

To send a remembrance please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com