Lawrence was born Wednesday, October 5, 1932 in Denison, Texas to parents Ennis and Shenova (Harris) Gentry. He went to meet his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 from his daughter’s home in Sherman at the age of 85.
Lawrence is a graduate of Terrell High School in Denison. He has been married to Ruby (Miller) for 54 years. Lawrence is a disabled veteran having served in the United States Navy.
Rev. Gentry became a deacon in 1972, a Licensed Minister in 1975, and Ordained Pastor in 1976. He pastored at White Rock Missionary Baptist and Victory Baptist in Denison, and assisted pastors at Mt. Olive in Denison, Pilgrim Rest in Trenton, and Hopewell Baptist in Denison.
Rev. Gentry is survived by his wife, Ruby; children, Martha Nickerson (Charles), Maxine Henry, Marion Gentry, Norma Daniels (Bishop Charles Daniels), Zella Blanton, Georgiana Malone, Thomas Hall, Herman Barnum, and Buddy-Marquis Barnum; 39 grandchildren, 57 great grandchildren, and 18 great-great grandchildren; siblings, Rosie Mae Baldwin, Laretta Winbush, Nannie Mae Avery, Joyce DeHorney (Clifton), and Ennis Gentry Jr.; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, children Larry Gentry and Albernita Dixon, grandchildren Charles Daniels Jr. and Kaye Briscoe, grandparents Lavicie and Vaughn Harris, and Louise and John Gentry, siblings Walter Gentry, Lavicie Kelly, and Vaughn Daniels.
Rev. Gentry will lie in repose Friday, Oct. 13, for public viewing from noon until 8 P.M. in Waldo Funeral Home in Sherman.
The Homegoing Celebration will be Saturday, Oct. 14, at 11 A.M. in the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Denison, where Rev. Alton Blakely is the Host Pastor and Rev. C.E. Evans will deliver the eulogy. The funeral cortege will then proceed to Fairview Cemetery where Rev. Gentry will be placed in his earthly bed.
Services have been entrusted to James E. Smith and the professionals at Waldo Funeral Home.

Mother Ruby Lee Gentry was born September 26, 1930 in Oklahoma, to H.L. Miller and Zella Owens. She was the oldest of 11 children. She was raised in Platter, OK by her grandmother Viola Love, who was affectionately known as “Mama Sissy” and was educated in the Colbert, OK school system.
In 1963, she married Rev. Lawrence Gentry. They were married for 54 years until God called him home. She had 9 beautiful children (2 sons; 7 daughters).
Mother Ruby Gentry was a long time faithful member and Mother of First Missionary Baptist Church, Whitewright, TX. While a member of FMBC, she was active in several special ministry assignments. She was a Deaconess, a Missionary, Head of the Usher Board, and Head of the Youth Department.
Mother Gentry had a very special love for her church and her FAMILY. She adored her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was called many affectionate names: Ruby Lee, Miss Ruby, Aunt Lee, Mrs. Gentry, and Persian (this name belonged to her husband). Above all, 2 names were her pride and joy: “Mama” and “Granny”. The love she possessed for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren was immeasurable. She lived her entire life loving and caring for her family. She not only raised all of her beautiful children, she also raised several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom she shares a special relationship. Of all of the grandchildren and great grandchildren raised by her, there was 1 that she shared the most special relationship, her great-grandson Marquis Barnum, “Preacha”. Over the last 30 years, the 2 of them were inseparable. They had a bond that was admired and cherished by all. He was her BABY. Every day he was with her. And his happiness and well-being was at the TOP of her list. This bond is everlasting and she will forever be in his heart.
Mother Gentry was also an extremely hard worker. It was important for her to build a stable life to provide for her family. Over the years, she worked in the Cotton Field, was a Presser at Poole’s Sewing Factory, as well as a Nurse’s Aide at the Whitewright Nursing Home. She became a WELL KNOWN CHEF in Grayson County. Mother Gentry was known for her impeccable cooking. In fact, whenever anyone would open a restaurant in Whitewright, they would call Ruby Lee to help them get started. They knew business would boom with Ruby Lee in the kitchen. An innovative and fervent woman, Ruby decided to start her own restaurant, Ruby’s Place. She and her husband had a small restaurant built right in their front yard. Many would find their way to Ruby’s Place. There would be transport trucks, cars, vans, etc. parked all along the street to order 1 of her famous Burgers and/or Chicken Fried Steaks. No 1 could do it quite like Mother Ruby.
She was preceded in death by Rev. Lawrence Gentry (husband), Viola Love (grandmother), H.L. Miller (father), Zella Owens (mother), Millie Arterberry (aunt), Charlesetta Jones “Bo” (cousin), Lawrence Gentry Jr. “Larry” (son), Albernetta Dixon (daughter), Maxine Henry (daughter), Cometria Briscoe “Kaye” (granddaughter), Charles Daniels Jr. “CJ” (grandson), Dana Briscoe (granddaughter), Norvella Ballard (sister), Viola Sommers (sister), Lizzy Coney (sister), Louise Thacker (sister), Joe Henry Owens (brother), Kenneth Owens (brother), and Elmer Owens (brother)
Mother Gentry went home to be with the Lord on November 23, 2020.
She leaves behind her cherished loved ones: Son: Herman Lee Barnum, Sr; Daughters: Zella Blanton; Georgiana Malone; Martha Nickerson; Marion Gentry; Norma Daniels (Bishop Charles Daniels, Sr.). 30 Grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; 36 great-great-grandchildren; Willie Coleman (sister); Richard Owens (brother); Phillip Ray Owens (brother); many Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

“My children, grandchildren, great grandchildren great great grandchildren… I just ask You to keep them…. You blessed my family all year and I just want to say thank You. Some get tired and some don’t. Father when I was able, I never got tired. Just kept on going. Lord I just want to say thank You…. I just want to ask a blessing on all my family, far and near. I just want to say thank You.

~Ruby Gentry

A public viewing will be Friday, November 27, 2020 from 1 P.M. to 7 P.M. at Waldo Funeral Home (come and go).
The funeral service will be Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 11 A.M. at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Whitewright, TX.  Rev. Corey Battle is the Host Pastor.
Graveside rites will be Monday, November 30, 2020 at 1 P.M. at Fairview Cemetery in Denison, TX.