Ernest Bentley Obituary

Dr. Ernest (Ernie) L. Bentley, Jr.

April 11, 1938 -

April 30, 2025

It is with deep sadness that the family of Dr. Ernest L. Bentley, Jr. announces his unexpected passing on April 30, 2025, in South Carolina. Ernest was born in Lauderdale County, TN on April 11, 1938, to the late Jodie and Ernest Bentley. He attended Lipscomb University where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1959. In 1962 he earned his master's degree at Vanderbilt's Peabody College and in 1967 received his doctorate from the University of Florida.

He spent five years as a teacher in Tennessee, Georgia, and Maryland before serving as Director of Educational Planning for Atlanta Public Schools. In 1972 he became Executive Director of Metropolitan Educational Services working with ten school districts in the Atlanta area. He became an Associate Professor in the Department of Supervision and Administration at Atlanta University in 1982 before coming to East Tennessee State University in 1985 to serve as an Associate Professor in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis department and as Director of Tennessee Leadership, a statewide effort to develop school leaders. In 1992 he served as Director of Tennessee's National Diffusion Project, a program to support the implementation of effective programs in schools across the state. From 1996 to 2016 he was the Executive Director for the Tennessee Principals' Association.

Ernest exhibited a thirst for knowledge. He prided himself on reading at least one new book a month but also enjoyed revisiting special novels. In his later years, he loved to watch "Perry Mason" and "Gunsmoke" re-runs. He was also passionate about God's creative outdoors and enjoyed taking care of trees and plants in his yard. He enjoyed catching pesty Japanese beetles in May and June.

He loved to take fishing trips to Fontana Lake in North Carolina in the fall and spring. He and his fishing buddy, Ronnie, would cast their lines in hopes of catching some Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Bluegill.

He was highly active throughout his entire life, beginning at the age of eleven as a paper boy for the Knoxville News Sentinel while growing up in Oak Ridge. Ernest was the owner and operator of DEC Angus. His pleasure in nurturing cows and bulls from birth to maturity was more of a hobby than work. One of his saddest days was when he retired from the Angus cattle business.

In addition to his parents, Ernest was preceded in death by a sister, Tommie Pafford and stepmother, Martha Bentley.

Ernest is survived by his loving wife, Dr. Debra Bentley; daughter, Lynne Lysaght; stepdaughter, Dr. Chelsea Lee; sister, Ann Bentley; grandsons Kyle Lysaght, Logan Lysaght, and Camden Lysaght; sister-in-law Shelia Minier (Dean), brother in-law David Ray (Ronda), and several nieces and nephews.

The celebration of life service will be held Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. from the chapel of Tetrick Funeral Services, Johnson City. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00-3:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Mountain View Elementary School, 907 King Springs Road, Johnson City, TN 37601 to purchase school supplies for students for the 2025-2026 school year.

Memories, condolences, and a livestream of the service may be viewed and shared at www.tetrickfuneralservices.com.

Tetrick Funeral Services, 3001 Peoples St. Johnson City, TN 37604, is honored to serve the Bentley family (423-610-7171).