Herbert Merritt Gentry, age 94, of Carthage, NC and formerly of Roxboro, NC, died peacefully Friday, August 16, 2024 at First Health Hospital in Pinehurst, NC with his daughter Denise Gentry McGill and granddaughter, Amanda Bray Smith by his side.
Mr. Gentry was born September 7, 1929 in Person County, NC, son of the late Ollie Mack & Allene Mutar Jones Gentry and was husband of 62 years to the late Nellie Vera Bray Gentry. He began his career in 1950 at Collins & Aikman Corp. as a Loom Fixer and retired in 1991 as Plant Manager. Herbert joined Oak Grove Church in Roxboro, NC in 1950 where he served as Chairman of the Board, Lay Leader, Trustee, and President of the Men’s Club. He joined the NC Army National Guard in 1947 serving as a mess sergeant until 1959.
Herbert was a loving person and was loved by many. There was a very special love between him and his “one and only” daughter, as she was the apple of his eye. He built a house nextdoor to hers ten years ago after the passing of his sweet Nellie, and Denise visited him daily. He was included in her forays with her girlfriends, his “entourage” going to all sorts of destinations. He loved God, his family, his friends, and enjoyed fishing. Most of all, Big Daddy loved life and baking cakes for anyone who asked for one. He was an excellent southern cook. His chicken livers smothered in onions were always a hit, as was his cornbread and hushpuppies.
Surviving are a daughter, Denise (Robby) McGill of Carthage, NC, grandchildren, Amanda Smith, Jaime McGill, Brent (Hilary) McGill, great-grandchildren, Gavin Merritt Clark, Harper Andrews, Gunner McGill, and a host of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Gentry is preceded in death by a sister, Velma (Ned) Puryear, brothers, Ollie (Edna) Gentry, Cecil (Marjorie) Gentry, father-in-law, William Herbert Bray, mother-in-law, Dena Tingen Bray, sisters-in-law, Bertha (Riley) Whitt, Elizabeth (Bo) Sacrinty, brothers-in-law, Jimmy (Betty) Bray, and William Herbert (Ethel) Bray.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 20, 2024 in the Strickland and Jones Funeral Services Chapel with the Rev. Sam Mooney, Rev. Tommy Puryear, and Pastor Pam Watkins officiating. Interment will follow in the Person Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends and guests from 1:00 till 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Perry Bray, Steve Bray, Gavin Clark, Brent McGill, Vince Parker, and Spicer Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Chelves Ashby, Brent Brown, Jimmy Hinesley, Danny Klingenschmidt, Brian McGill, Ricky Palmer, Larry Shoe, Carl Stonebreaker, and Tommy Warren.
The family would like to thank Pinehurst Medical Clinic, First Health “Teams”, St. Joseph of the Pines Rehabilitation and his precious home care ladies for all of the care and love he was given.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care, 251 Campground Road, West End, NC 27376.
Arrangements are by Strickland and Jones Memorial Funeral Services, 1810 Durham Road, Roxboro, NC 27573. Online condolences may be made at stricklandandjonesfs.com.
