Loraine Darnell Gentry

Loraine Darnell Gentry passed away October 8, 2015 following a brief additional illness. She was born September 26, 1913 in Wilkes County to the late Charles Reece and Mary Couch Darnell. She had been a long time resident of the Yadkin Nursing Center in Yadkinville. She and her husband, Harvey B. Gentry were married September 1, 1929. With her assistance he managed the early development and maintenance of public electric power for the area. She is survived by a son, Jack Gentry, Sr. (Ruby) and daughter, Nancy G. Scott (Charles), a brother John F. Darnell. She was preceded in death by daughter Mildred; brothers Joseph, David, and James; two sisters Vetral (Branson) Couch and Mozelle (Paul) Cooper. She is survived by grandchildren Catherine Little (Thom) Karen Morrison (Eric), Keith Scott, Jan G. Womble (Dan), Jack Gentry, Jr. (Susan); great grandchildren Virginia and Rebecca Little, Alex and Katena Morrison, Micah, Elaina and Jonah Womble, Arden and Kellen Gentry. Loraine was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She taught in the Sunday school of her home church (Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, near Elkin, NC) while a seventh grader in the community elementary school. She took it up again when her daughter Nancy was in the beginner department (4 and 5 years old) at the Boonville Baptist Church. She continued to do so for 30 to 40 years. She also sang in the church choir and was a member of the Delta Woodhouse Missionary Circle. Loraine was head of the school lunch program at the Boonville School for many years. Her husband and she were leaders in the Boonville Grange (farm related) for an extended time. She and her husband also operated a "Flower Shop" on their property in Boonville. Work (even hard work) seemed to be more joy for her than burden. This continued well into her later years. A special experience occurred when her granddaughter Jan Gentry escorted both her grandmothers (Loraine and Mrs. Vivian Hickman) to Taiwan where she and her brother "Jay" had grown up as "Missionary kids" of Jack and Ruby Gentry. Nancy Scott and her daughter, Karen, also enjoyed that adventure at another time. We give thanks and praise to God for Loraine Gentry and a life well lived. The family will receive friends from 2-3 PM Sunday October 10, 2015 at Boonville Baptist Church. Her funeral will be conducted Sunday following the visitation by the Rev. John Brown. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. The family would like to say a very special thanks to the staff of the Yadkin nursing Center for the loving care given to Mrs. Gentry. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Boonville Baptist Church 201 Baptist Church Road, Boonville, NC 27011. Online condolences may be made at www.gentryfuneralservice.com. Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Gentry family.