Mary Gentry

GENTRY, Mary of Mabank, born May 21, 1920, passed away August 8, 2004. Graveside services will be 2:30PM Wednesday August 11, 2004, at the Resthaven Memorial Park in Corsicana, TX, with Rev. John Howard, officiating. Family will receive friends from 10:00AM - 12:00Noon Wednesday at the Harbor Baptist Church, 504 Hwy 198 S., Mabank, TX. Memorials may be made to the West Place Nursing Center, P. O. Box 232, Athens, TX. 75751 or the Genesis Hospice Care, 201 Saint Thomas Dr., Athens, TX. 75751 Mary Fortuna Ellis was born to George and Jewel Ellis in Betty, Texas on May 21, 1920. Becoming Mary Gentry after marrying Milner "Mink" E. Gentry, September 8, 1944, she lived most of her adult life in Odessa, Texas before moving to Cedar Creek Lake in 1977. While living in Odessa, she was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church, serving as Sunday school teacher and Girl's Auxiliary leader. She was also involved in First Baptist Church of Goldsmith, Texas while living there for a short time. Returning to Odessa, she was employed with Henderson & Collins Drug Store and was an actively committed member of Second Baptist Church. To pursue their dream, she and her husband moved to Cedar Creek Lake to enjoy their passion for fishing. Not only did she enjoy fishing, she took pleasure having a large fish fry for family and friends cooking up their "catch" with a big smile on her face. Becoming a charter member of Harbor Baptist Church in Payne Springs, Texas, she volunteered in the church library, she was involved in WMU and served as a Sunday school teacher. This is where she and her husband celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary and her three nieces, Betty, Bertha and Dorthy surprised her on her eightieth birthday with a celebration of close friends and relatives. In 1990 her loving niece, Dorthy Kirk moved to Cedar Creek Lake to take care of her Uncle Mink and Aunt Mary. Indeed, she did take care of them. After Mink's death, Dorthy became Mary's caregiver, constant companion and guarded her until the end. After battling for her life over the past 14 months, with a smile on her face, in her sweet voice, you can just hear Mary say, " God has called me home today. But, I am not far away. Cry if you must, but don't cry for me. I am happy, I'm finally free. I thank you for the love you've shown. But, now it's time that I go home. Please keep my memory alive in your heart, for these things I know will never part. If you should need me I'll be there, just listen and your heart will hear. I am home now with loved ones who have passed. It's okay for I'm home at last. And, I will love each and every one of you. Please never forget that, for it's true. When it's time for you to come my way, I'll take your hand, smile and say Welcome Home!" Her only child, her son, M.L. Stutts and daughter-in-law, Dorothy Stutts, survive her. Grandchildren, Dora Rich, Cory Stutts, Royce Stutts, Ronnie Reid and Michelle Strickland, also survive her. Four great grandchildren Ashley Stutts, Kira Strickland, Amber Gardner, and Matthew Gardner are also left. She leaves behind four nieces, Dorthy Kirk, Betty McCulloch, Bertha Brady and Marilyn Scott, five nephews, Darrell Acker, Kenny Gentry, Jimmy Gentry, Bobby Gentry and Carl Gentry, several great nephews and nieces. Preceded in death by sister, Louise Acker, brother, Grover Kirk, her mother, Jewel Kirk, husband Mink Gentry. Three grandchildren DeAnna McCarty, Robert McCarty and Kelli Waggoner precede her, also. Let us not mourn any more, but be grateful and thankful for she is in a better place. No more pain, no more suffering, for the angels in Heaven are singing with joy.