Norma Chamblee Bentley

Norma was born on June 13, 1934 in Atlanta, Georgia and passed on peacefully to her heavenly home on December 12, 2020 after succumbing to advanced-stage dementia. She was preceded in death by her Parents Vera and O.G. Chamblee of Griffin, Georgia; brothers Glenn Chamblee and Robert Chamblee, and her loving husband of 48 years, Thomas S. Bentley. She is survived by her three children, Nancy Bentley Allen (Charles) of Dunwoody, Thomas Stansell Bentley (Sarah) of Vermont and Mary “MayMay” Bentley Lellyett of Atlanta. She leaves behind eight wonderful grandchildren John and Lee Allen; Fletcher, Sawyer and Joseph Bentley; and Palmer, Bentley and Emma Lellyett. Norma graduated from Griffin High School in 1952 and initially attended Agnes Scott College. She ultimately graduated from the University of Georgia in 1957 with a major in Speech Pathology and Audiology. Later in life she received her Master’s degree in Speech Pathology from Georgia State University. Growing up, Norma was an excellent student. She enjoyed ballet, theater and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority at the University of Georgia. On December 20, 1956 she married Thomas Stansell Bentley in Athens, Georgia. They moved to Atlanta where he set up his law practice and they raised their three children: Nancy, Tommy and MayMay. As an adult she was very active in the Atlanta Childrens’ Theater for many years; she taught at the Atlanta Speech School and later worked with the deaf and hard of hearing children as volunteer and fund-raiser. Norma was a devoted and wonderful wife, a beloved mother, an excellent daughter and loyal friend. She never knew a stranger. Her beauty shined inside and out to all who knew her. Her strong faith allowed her to bring caring and empathy to people from all walks of life. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to the Atlanta Speech School, The Atlanta Mission and St. Anne Episcopal Church.