Mrs. Etha Belle Cheatwood Bentley, age 76, of Waco passed away Friday, December 27, 2013.  Mrs. Bentley was born in Haralson County on April 28, 1937.  She was the daughter of the late John Daniel Cheatwood and Minnie V. Sanders Cheatwood.  Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by five sisters, Anice White, Jewell Wells, Bertha Cheatwood, Jennie Ruth Lance and Kathleen Davis and two brothers, J.D. Cheatwood and Will Cheatwood.

Etha Bentley was a loving and loyal, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, friend and devoted Christian who loved her church, The First Baptist Church of Buchanan.  She raised three girls alone with an occupation of seamstress for over 35 years.  Her life was a living testament to her belief and faith in God.  She lived for her faith, family and friends.  Her unexpected death has left her family saddened but celebrating her life and legacy.  She had a independent character of steel and heart of gold.  She knew what was important in life.  She led by example.  She had an abundance of love and care for others that never diminished no matter what she was facing herself.  She was one of a kind in spirit, love and the epitome of strength and courage.  She had a very loving and sweet spirit that will be greatly missed.

Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Janet and Gerald Sailors of Bremen, Karen and Dale Robinson of Waco and Wanda and Marty Walker of Bremen; five grandchildren Jesset Ayers, Cole and Ashlee Ayers, Angela and Travis Benjamin, Holly Robinson and Ryan Robinson; four step grandchildren, Steve and Ashley Sailors, Ginger Sailors, Erin and Reagan Mabry, Greg Walker and Laura Oliver; one great grandchild, Margot Ayers; one brother, Mose Cheatwood of Buchanan; one sister-in-law Beatrice Cheatwood of Buchanan; one brother-in-law William Davis of Huntsville, Alabama; four step great grandchildren; twelve nephews; two nieces and a number other relatives.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, December 30, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. from First Baptist Church of Buchanan with Dr. Allen Wilburn and Rev. Gerald Sailors officiating. Music will be rendered by Pat Sailors. She will lie in state from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Interment will follow in Tallapoosa East Baptist Church Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers Cole Ayers, Phillip Davis, Marvin Cheatwood, Melvin Cheatwood, Kenneth Lance, Andy Lance, Larry Wells and David Wells. Honorary pallbearers will be the Agape sunday school class.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday evening from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The First Baptist Church of Buchanan building fund.

Hutcheson's Memorial Chapel & Crematory of Buchanan is charge of the arrangements.