Greene County mourns death of former commissioner and senator

GREENE COUNTY, Mo. — Greene County has announced the passing of a former commissioner on Monday, July 14.

According to a Greene County, Missouri social media post, former Greene County Commissioner Roseann Bentley passed away at the age of 89 on Monday, July 14.

Bentley served 12 years on the Commission from 2004 to 2016 in steering resources for children's services and public safety initiatives, the post says.

“Roseann Bentley served our community with grace, style and effectiveness on both the Springfield and Missouri Boards of Education, in the Missouri Senate and on the Greene County Commission where she championed the betterment of children’s education, lives and futures," said the Greene County Commission. "We remember her today with affection. We honor her example and accomplishments, and we surround her family with love, gratitude and prayers as they mourn."

Bentley is credited with multiple accomplishments made during her lifetime:

• She is credited as the first woman elected to the Missouri Senate from southwest Missouri, serving District 30 from 1995 to 2003.
• She provided bipartisan support for the Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start and gifted education programs.
• She helped the Junior League bring Ozarks Public Television to Springfield during the 1970s.
• She was a founding board member and was later president of the Community Partnership of the Ozarks and co-created United Way's Day of Caring.
• The Springfield Public Schools' administrative center on Sunshine Street and the interactive Roseann Bentley Musical Playground in Phelps Grove Park are named after Bentley.