Trudelle Bentley (Parks) Leopard

Mrs. Trudelle Bentley Leopard, age 94, entered into rest on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Southern Manor Senior Living in Washington, Ga.  A memorial service will be held at Salem Baptist Church on Thursday, October 28 ,2021 at 3:00 P.M. with visitation preceding the service beginning at 1:30. The Reverend Paul Reviere will officiate the service.  Pallbearers will be Rex Edmunds, Dee Bentley, Curry Bentley, C.J. Goldman, Ernie Doss, Alvin Scott, Barney Aycock,III and Bobby Burgess.

Mrs. Leopard was born on October 31, 1926,  She was the daughter of the late Nell Paradise Parks Underwood, James Alton Parks and John Doyle Underwood.  In 1943 she graduated from Ninety Six High School in Ninety Six, SC and soon after graduation she married her first husband, Clarence Gross (Bubber) Bentley and moved to the Woodlawn Community of Lincoln County, GA.  She became a member of Salem Baptist Church where she served in many leadership capacities until her health failed.  At the time of her death she was the oldest member of Salem Church.

In 1945 "Miss Trudelle" began a career in banking at Farmers State Bank in Lincolnton. She retired several times but always found her way back to the bank.  After 72 years of affiliation with the bank, she retired from the Board of Directors at the age of 90.

In 2008, after being widowed for 20 years, Mrs. Leopard married her childhood sweetheart, John Robert Leopard of Ninety Six, SC. Mr. Leopard and his children, Donna and Johnny Ek and Bob Allen Leopard, all of Ninety Six, SC, survive her.

In addition to her first husband and parents, Mrs. Leopard was predeceased by her father and mother in law, Clarence Gross and Minnie M. Bentley, her daughter in law, Cecelia Hardin Bentley and a special "twin cousin", Dorothy W. Scott.

Surviving Mrs. Leopard in addition to her husband and his family are her sons, Doyle Gross Bentley of Lincolnton, GA, Alton Keith Bentley and his wife Selina of Albany, GA and her daughter, Trudy Bentley Edmunds and her husband Randall, also of Lincolnton.  She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild and her devoted caregivers, Patricia  Ann Beard, Barbara Heard, Doris Heard and Emma Wilder.

Friends may call at the funeral home or at the residence of Randall and Trudy Edmunds, 2307 Amity Woodlawn Rd, Lincolnton, GA.  30817

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Salem Baptist Church, Alvin Cox, Treasurer, 2476 Leathersville RD, Lincolnton, GA  30817