Mrs. Helon Marie Gentry, 80, of Woodbury passed away on April 22, 2018. She was born in Woodbury, TN on August 13, 1937. She was preceded in death by her parents, William “Bill” Powell Milligan and Nannie Vandergriff Milligan; brothers, Billy Eugene Milligan, Milton Brown (Alma) Milligan; sisters, Sammye (Virgil) Tenpenny, Marjorie (Morgan) Lorance, Quixie Frances (Dixie) Carroll, Rachel (Jack) Hillstrom, Shirley Ann Tate; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Laura Deskin (George) Prater, Roberta McBride Gentry, Nora B (Curtis Ray) Fann, Cecil Vinson (Judy) Gentry, and Harold Lanier Gentry.She is survived by her husband, Boyd Freeman Gentry, daughters, Karen Mechelle (Richard) Burks, Stephanie Rene (David) Faulkner, Jennifer Maria (Phill) Coppinger, Lydia Denise (Brent) Bush; son, Timothy B. (Terri) Gentry all of Woodbury; brothers, Jack Milligan of McMinnville, Jimmy (Shirley) Milligan of FL; sister, Betty Billings of McMinnville; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Kenneth Tate of FL, William Thomas “Billy” Gentry of NE, Marion Sue (Dwayne) Griffith of Woodbury, and Shirley Gentry of TX; thirteen grandchildren, Richard Douglas “Doug” Burks, Jr., Daniel Brian (Beth) Burks, Johnathan “David” (Emily) Burks, Emily Christine (Kyle) Stembridge, Rebekah Elaine (Jonathan) Lamb, Hannah Isabelle Faulkner, Samantha Marie (Adam) Elrod, Bradley Glen (Laura) Coppinger, Jessica Nicole (Mike) Mowl, Zachariah “Zack” Dale (Kendall) Bush, Nathaniel Brent (Danielle) Bush, Jeremiah Beard, and Drew Perry Sanders Gentry; eleven great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mrs. Helon graduated in the Class of 1955 from Woodbury Central High School. She made friends easily because of her easy-going personality. She met Boyd and married on January 3, 1957. They recently celebrated 61 years together. She had to do a lot of traveling early in their marriage and for many years because of his duty in the military. Her first plane and boat trips were to be with him while in the service. They began having children in 1959 and they too, enjoyed the thrills of living abroad. Raising five children was a challenge and a joy for her. She made all of her family feel special by remembering them on special days, cooking, and offering up her time and talents. Having a large family made her very happy. She made a point to have them over to celebrate the birthdays for each month and cook a requested special dish for them. It was always a pleasure for her to baby sit grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Going to numerous events including ball games, awards ceremonies, marriages, and births were precious moments she treasured. They enjoyed traveling and seeing different places and visiting family also.
Her giving nature and loving character were her hallmarks. She loved everyone with the love she felt through her belief in God and her Christian faith. She loved her church family at Smith Grove Church of Christ. She was active in many things going on there. She was always willing to help or offer a kind word or a card to encourage someone.
Through the years she enjoyed working outside the home too. She worked for Colonial Shirt Factory, Val-Dor, OMC Boats, and others. Idle time was not something she knew about if she wasn’t sleeping, she was up and busy doing something. Her love and spirit has impacted several generations of family and friends and will continue.
Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Friday, April 27, 2018 from 2-8 pm and on Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 10-2 pm. Funeral services will be Saturday at 2 pm in the Smith Funeral Home chapel. Al Bugg will officiate. Interment will follow in Leoni Cemetery. In lieu of flowers you may donate to the charity of your choice in her memory. Contact Smith Funeral Home if you would like a card to be placed. Share memories and condolences at www.smithfuneralhomewoodbury.net Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN, 615-563-5337
