Tim Bentley, a Georgia political activist and journalist died on January 11 following a lengthy pulmonary illness. Friends said he died at the home of his mother at the age of 55. Bentley had been a member of President Jimmhy Carter’s Peanute Brigade. He also was the coordinator and press person for Max Cleland’s first campaign for Secretary of State and later served as Cleland’s press secretary. Bentley’s political career included association with the late Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, Cleland, and Governor Zell Miller. Charles Graves, who was executive director of the Democratic Party of Georgia during the administration of Gov. George Busbee, said that Tim had edited a newsletter for the political party. At varioius times he also worked for Georgia Times and South Magazine. He is survived by his mother, Jane Hays Bentley of Decatur and an older brother, Mike Bentley of Blanco, Texas. He was a member of the Inman Park Baptist Church but at his request, there were no services.
