Marion Beverly Gentry March 9, 1929 – January 24, 2019 Marion Beverly Gentry, age 89, of Roanoke, Virginia died at her home on the morning of Thursday, January 24, 2019. She was born on March 9, 1929 to the late Ernest B. Stuart and Ruby Reynolds Stuart in Copper Hill, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Charles Roger Gentry, her sister Juanita Vaughn, and daughter Betty Gentry Duncan.
Marion affectionately known as “Bell”, “Aunt Bell” and/or “GrumGrum”. Beverly attended school in Floyd, VA. In her early years she did housework for various families.
She later pursued her nursing degree graduating in 1963 as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Beverly would go on to work at Roanoke Burrell Hospital, a historic African-American hospital in the Gainsboro neighborhood of Roanoke where she would deliver babies for many mothers. After the hospital closed in the mid-1970’s, she performed private duty nursing and started working at Friendship Manor Nursing Center.
She was an aspiring entrepreneur and began her own nursing home business caring for the elderly. She also worked at Richfield Nursing Center where she would retire after several years of service. Beverly was an inspiration to many and friends to all.
She enjoyed cooking and entertaining for family and friends and welcomed everyone to her home. She would often say after your first visit to her home you were no longer considered a guest but family, and welcomed to help yourself. She enjoyed fishing and traveling with her husband and family and had a unique love for antique furniture.
Additionally, she was creative and had a knack for interior decorating and design often creating her own curtains, valances and re-upholstering her own furniture. She was a devoted Jehovah Witness and attended the Northeast Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses in Vinton, VA. She was baptized on March 1, 1975 and this began her walk of faith with Jehovah God.
She was a faithful Christian attending meeting talks at the Kingdom Hall and traveling to conferences nationwide as far as Michigan and New York. When her health began to decline, she would participate in talks by conference calls and bible readings until her passing. She leaves to cherish her memories one son Charles E. “Pete” (Diane) Gentry of Roanoke, VA, one daughter Marilyn “Sister” Gentry; one sister Mary Frances Williams of Roanoke, VA; four grandchildren Gregory L. Hunt, Angelia Gentry Vernon, Charles Micyle Gentry, and Naudia Gentry Alexander.
In addition, she is survived by twelve great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law Bell Gentry of Lynchburg, Virginia; her best friend and loving neighbor Mavis Ford; and a host of loving nieces, nephew, cousins and friends. Memorial Services will be conducted at Serenity Funeral Home Chapel, Roanoke, VA on Saturday, February 2nd with Mr. Willie Reese of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm and memorial services will follow at 1:00pm.
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