James Lavon Bentley

Lavon lived life to the fullest. He and his dad were in the logging business, as well as raced in the early days of Nascar. He later taught Diesel Mechanics at Nunnelley State Technical College. But he is best known for his love of fishing. He regularly guided on Lay Lake and became one of Alabama’s winningest fishermen. He fished professionally in B.A.S.S. for 10 years traveling to lakes across the country. Lavon owned and operated L&M Marine offering boat repair and service... and if you were lucky, one of his fishing tips.

Lavon is survived by his wife, Mary Bentley; daughter Robin Davison (Mark) of Sylacauga, Alabama; son Colt Bentley (Tammy) of Wilsonville, Alabama; son Wes Bentley (Anna) of Sylacauga, Alabama; step-daughter Candice Kromer of Childersburg, Alabama; and step-daughter Tabitha Kromer; grandchildren Brett Kelley, Tessa Rao, Haley Bentley, McKenzie Kromer, Brianna Wood, Clyde Traver, and Jayden Warren, great grandchildren Charlotte Kelley, Bellamy Kelley, Bane Kelley and Lilly Rao.

Lavon was preceded in death by father James Earl Bentley and mother Emma (Ellison) Bentley; brother Frank Bentley.

A visitation for Lavon will be held Sunday, June 6, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Radney-Smith Funeral Home, 320 North Elm Avenue, Sylacauga, Alabama 35150, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.

Serving as pallbearers are Brett Kelley, Jimmy Kelley, Butch Cross, Pete Williams, Matt Vanzant, Keith Culver, Joey Vanzant, Steve Sherbert, Gary McGrady, Braxton McNaughton and Charlie Allen.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/sylacauga-al/radney-smith-funeral-home/8516.

Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, AL will direct the services.