Mary Gentry

Waynesville-Mary Elizabeth Inman Gentry, age 88, of 180 Skyland Road passed away on March 30, 2006 at the Haywood Retirement Center & Lodge. Her children and grandchildren were at her bedside. Mrs. Gentry was born in Haywood County on August 30, 1917, the firstborn daughter to Harley and Marie Trull Inman. She was preceded in death by her late husband Nelse R. Gentry, who passed away in 1977 and her oldest son C. E. Gentry. She was employed by Wellco Enterprises until her retirement in 1973. Mrs. Gentry is survived by her two daughters, Brenda Gentry Grooms of Asheville and Judith Gentry Kirkpatrick and husband, Ritchie, of Waynesville; one son Michael Everette Gentry and wife, Missy, of Waynesville: two sisters, Bessie Rich of Waynesville and Estella Gibbs of New Port News, VA; eight beloved grandsons, Barey E Gentry, Wes, Eric, and Heath Grooms, Drew Kirkpatrick, and Chad and Lucas Gentry; three cherished granddaughters; Cynthia Gentry Shumpert, Natasha Gentry Meadows, and Teela Gentry; two adored great grandchildren. Chris Wallace and Lauren Elizabeth Grooms (her namesake); and two very special step grandchildren Bryan and Brooke Coward. Mrs. Gentry's life was devoted to her children and grandchildren. The family will have cherished memories of homemade fudge, family dinners and birthday parties. Her spirit will forever live in their hearts and she will be sadly missed but never forgotten. A very special thanks to Dr. George Brown for his excellent care for 43 years and also to the Haywood Retirement Center staff for their non-stop loving care. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, 2006 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Johnny Foster and Reverend Riley Covin officiating. Burial will follow at Buchanan Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday evening at the funeral home and at other times, the family will be at the home of Michael E. Gentry, 18 Rainbow Ridge Drive in Waynesville. Serving as pallbearers will be Wesley, Eric and Heath Grooms, Chad, Lukas, and Barry Gentry, Brian Coward, and Earl Phillips. Memorials may be made to Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice, 560 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721 or Haywood Lodge & Retirement Center, 251 Shelton Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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