Terry Gentry

Terry Waters Gentry
August 23, 2017

Terry Waters Gentry 56, passed away at his home on Wednesday, August 23, 2017. He was a lifelong resident of Baldwyn. He was the son of the late J. P. and Winnie Waters Gentry. He was a 1978 graduate of BHS, attended Northeast Community College on a football scholarship, attended MSU and was an honor graduate of Gupton Jones College of funeral services in Atlanta. He worked at H. M. Patterson & Son Funeral Home in Atlanta while he attended school, and started working at Waters Funeral Home in 1983. He then later took a sales job and became President of MS Funeral Supply Club and was salesman of the year. He continued working at Waters Funeral Home and became a Board member and later President of MS Funeral Directors Association. He was a charter member of Baldwyn Rotary Club, became President, and was selected to be a Paul Harris fellow. Terry served as past chairman of 20 Mile Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, past chairman of Baldwyn Education Endorsement committee, served on the Baldwyn School Board for 15 years, and was past chairman. Terry was co-owner and operator of Waters Funeral Home. 

Terry was founder and pit master of Smokey G’s cooking team, competition and catering company. Smokey G’s holds the record for Grand Championship at MS Pork Produce contest in Starkville with 7 grand championships and over 12 first place finishes. He enjoyed cooking for charity fund raising events, social events, and especially for schools and churches. His was an avid fan of Mississippi State and his favorite pastime was feeding MSU Football and Baseball teams. 

His biggest claim to fame was his and Vickie’s appearance on Emeril’s Live TV show. He enjoyed taking trips with his family, especially to the beach. He enjoyed travel, cooking and spending time with family, especially his grandson Gentry, the joy of his life. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Baldwyn, where he had been ordained as a Deacon.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church in Baldwyn with Bro. Stanley Huddleston, Bro. Kenneth Corley, and Mr. Bubba Lang officiating. Burial will be in Baldwyn City Cemetery. Waters Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. 

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Vickie DeVaughn Gentry of Baldwyn; Daughters, Rae-Anne Gentry Pitts (Matt) of Memphis and Lara Beth Gentry Manley (Blake) of Booneville; Grandson Gentry Jack Manley of Booneville; Brother, Walter Gentry of Baldwyn; Sister, Janet Gentry Nichols (Bobby) of Baldwyn; nephews, Chris Nichols (Janice), Tim Nichols (Annie), Jason Gentry (Deanne), Jon Gentry (Jennifer); Great-nieces, Allison Nichols, Hannah Rose Nichols, Hadley Gentry, Sophia Gentry and Madison Gentry; In-laws, Patricia DeVaughn of Baldwyn and Freddie DeVaughn (Helen) of Booneville; Host of other family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Enoch Gentry and his wife, Martha Ann; niece, Kim Gentry.

Pallbearers will be Gary “Cotton” Thornton, Bob Wiygul, Jeremy Easterling, Sammy Reed, Michael “Frog” Rutherford, Trent Rogers, Jerry McCreary, Joe Blassingame, Marshal Johnson, Greg Hancock, Jason McKay and Johnny Davis. 

Honorary pallbearers will be members of MS State Board of Funeral Directors and members of Smokey G’s. 

Visitation will be at First Baptist Church in Baldwyn Friday afternoon 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Baldwyn Boys and Girls Club, or First Baptist Church Building Fund. 

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family @www.watersfuneralservicec.com

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