Rickey Allen Bentley, age 65, of Morganton formerly of Lenoir passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 12, 2024 at Grace Hospital. He was born July 13, 1959 in Caldwell County to Susie Hendrix Bentley and the late Dale Lloyd Bentley. In addition to his father he is preceded in death by his brother, Ronnie Eugene Bentley; and grandparents, Philmore and Nancy Bentley, and Turner Hendrix and Ruby Triplett.

Rickey was an avid outdoorsman and loved working in his garden, he was also a very avid sports lover though he enjoyed many sports he especially loved watching his N.C. State Wolfpack and his Carolina Panthers. Rickey also loved when October would roll around for the annual Homecoming at NCSD so that he was able to go and spend time reminiscing and catching up with old friends.

Those left to cherish his memory include his partner of 15 years, Carolena Turner; his mother, Susie Bentley; brothers, Larry Bentley (Jena) and Brian Bentley (Jessie); sisters, Sandra Clark (David), Donna Gilbert (Randy), and Melissa Hodges (Mark); ten nieces and nephews, Jason Clark, Shanna Clark, Josh Bentley, Eric Gilbert, Jonathan Hamby, Austin Bentley, Lauren Bentley, Marissa East, Taylor Sherrill and Cameron Hodges; ten great-nieces and great-nephews; and his beloved dog, Bella and his cat, Boots.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Larry Barnes officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Austin Bentley, Jonah Sherrill, Josh Bentley, Eric Gilbert, Jonathan Hamby, and Steve Hodges.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that any donations be made to the North Carolina School for the Deaf in care of the Athletics Department, 517 W Fleming Drive, Morganton, NC 28655.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the Bentley family.