Jessie Gentry

Jessie Bradford Gentry passed away Sunday evening, April 29, 2018 at the age of 86. Jessie was born on March 12, 1932 on a cold snowy day in her family home on Spivey Mountain, Tennessee. When the Doctor arrived to deliver the baby, they say he headed up the hill to the home and slid back down to the road. As he began the climb again, he heard a newborn baby cry. Mrs. Gentry was preceded in death by her parents, Lyde B. and Gladys Brinkley Bradford; her brother, Jack and sister, Gale. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bill Gentry; her sister, Sally (Gene); her brother, Dick Bradford; her daughters, Betsy Luck (Hugh) and Lu Knarr (Neil); four grandchildren and their families, Kristen Roberts, Sarah Bean, Brandon Luck and Jessie DeDad; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Gentry was a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a bachelor's degree in Education. She loved teaching and the many children she taught were all special to her. She had the wonderful ability to inspire children and touch their lives. She taught Sunday school and worked with the Endowment Committee to raise money for her beloved First Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia. Mrs. Gentry will be greatly missed by her family and friends. The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. until the service is held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at First Baptist Church, 235 West Washington Street, Petersburg, Virginia. There will also be a private service held on Spivey Mountain, Tennessee at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Endowment Fund of First Baptist Church at the above address. Arrangements by the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Visitation Details

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018 10:00am - 11:00am, First Baptist Church

Service Information

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018 11:00am, First Baptist Church