Nancy Carol Long Gentry

Nancy Carol Long Gentry, 86, was received into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, June 18^th, 2020 at her home in Concord, NC while surrounded by her family.  She was born December 15^th, 1933 in Yadkin County as the last of four children to the late Phillip H. Long and Joyce Holcomb Long where she lived until moving to Concord in 2000.

Nancy graduated from Yadkinville High School in the Class of 1952.  Later that same year, she married her sweetheart, Miles Gray Gentry.  Nancy and Miles lived in Yadkinville where they started their new family with the birth of their first daughter, Patricia Carol Gentry in 1954. Patricia’s life ended tragically and much too quickly as a result of an automobile accident.  That loss and void in their life was quickly filled by the birth of their son Miles Gray Gentry, Jr. and then not too far behind, Denise Lynn Gentry.  Being a mother to these two children brought so much joy to Nancy.   This joy continued throughout her life as she would become “Mama” to so many more people. 

Nancy began her career in the workplace at the Yadkin ASCS Office where she worked for seven years.  She then decided to attend Beauty College and start her own business.  It was at that time,The Magic Mirror Beauty Salon came into existence where she worked for the next thirty years serving so many in the Yadkinville area.  During this time, she also taught Cosmetology classes at Wilkes Community College.

After her children, Gray and Lynn, completed college, they were both married and Nancy gained two more children that she loved as much as her own.  Gray was married to Renaee Fleming in 1980 and then Lynn was married to Steve Pearson in 1983.  The growing family enjoyed many Sunday afternoon meals that Nancy loved to prepare and made sure everyone’s plate stayed full.

The family continued to grow as grandchildren came along.  The first was a grandson, Miles Gray Gentry, III, followed by a granddaughter, Rachel Evva Gentry.  Both of these treasures brought so much joy to Nancy as she would continue to love and spoil them as they grew up enjoying their visits with “Mamaw”.  The grandchildren have both moved to Vail, CO. where Miles has met a very special friend, Chase Rogowski, and Rachel met and married Kris Hennum.

Nancy was a special lady that had a love for the Lord and this love was displayed throughout her life by the countless number of people she helped.  Whether it was giving away a coat or just giving someone some food or money, she was always generous with whatever she had to make sure others had what they needed.  She spent a lot of her time volunteering with different organizations that provided care for others.  Some of these included: The Red Cross, CVAN (assistance for battered women), and the Concord Homeless Shelter.  With each life she encountered, she always made sure to have conversations about the Lord and was quick to share with others how much the Lord had blessed her throughout her life.  She poured out her love to all who crossed her path and many will remember how they were not only blessed by her generous spirit, but how she reflected the love of Jesus.

Nancy had many friends over the years which she spoke of often, but had a special bond with the lady who became her caretaker.  Willie Bell Howie was definitely sent by the Lord to Nancy to love and care for her and their friendship grew as they became very close through the last few years.  Willie’s love for Nancy and the care she gave her is a gift that will never be forgotten by the family.

In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Miles Gray Gentry; daughter Patricia Carol Gentry; and her siblings, Phyllis Todd, Donald Gray Long, and Douglas Long.

Surviving, in addition to her immediate family, are sisters-in-law, Marie Long, Joyce Long and Fern Gentry Johnson.  Nancy also has several special nieces and nephews.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 pm Sunday, June 28, 2020 at Gentry Family Funeral Services in Yadkinville by Rev. David Haltom and Rev. Robert Jackson.  The live service will be available online for others to join.  Please return to this obituary page after 3:30 PM Sunday for a link that will enable you to view the live service at 4:00 PM Sunday

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Hospice of Cabarrus County and to their very own special nurse, Laurie Mathis, for her loving care and support.   Memorials may be made to Word of Faith Worship Center, 757 Harris St., Concord, NC  28025 where Nancy was a member for many years.