Bentlea Alexis James

Our angel, our oldest baby girl, Bentlea Alexis James, passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Putnam County, West Virginia as the result of an auto accident.

Bentlea was born January 5, 2007, in Chillicothe, Ohio. She loved Jesus, the color purple, Iced coffee and flowers of all kinds. She enjoyed back road rides with the windows down, and 4-wheeler rides. She loved fishing and went every chance she got. She loved her trips to town with her mom and Iced coffee at Dunkin’ was always a requirement before shopping.

She loved fall and Christmas time. She was always excited for changing leaves and then Christmas lights and decorating the tree. She was the perfect big sister to Trevan, Myles, and Myah, and did everything she could with them, especially fishing. They were her best friends.

Bentlea attended Southwestern Elementary until 5th grade, then she was homeschooled until she graduated in the spring of this year. She was a member of the American Heritage Girls Troop OH1850 and attended both Gallia Baptist Church and Countryside Baptist Church.

Bentlea Alexis is survived by her daddy and momma, Robbie and Jennifer James; brothers, Trevan Alexander James and Myles Cash James; and her baby sister, Myah Jocelyn James. She is also survived by her fiancé, whom she loved more than life itself, Phillip Hively from Scottown, Ohio.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025, from 3-5 PM at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Oak Hill. Funeral services will immediately follow at 5:00 with Pastor Cline Rawlins officiating. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com.