Wilna Lowe Lewter Gentry, 96, passed into her Lord’s hands on November 10, 2024. She was the first-born child of Willie and Odell Lewter born on May 28, 1928, in the Pearl City community in Lincoln County, TN.
She met her husband William B. “Bill” Gentry and married in 1945. Bill owned the milk route that picked up and delivered milk from the local farms to the Borden and Kraft plants in Fayetteville. His route included Willie Lewter’s farm. The couple “courted” by Wilna riding with Bill as he finished his route and then returning her home so she could do her farm chores.
Our cherished mother leaves a lasting legacy of her large family. She and Bill had 12 children. Bill passed away in 1970 and Wilna raised the children on her own with courage and hard work. She passed on to her children a sense of strong faith, values and work ethic.
When asked how she was going to raise her children alone, she replied “we are all for one and one for all, we will do it together.” She faced adversity and hardship with faith, grit, and love. She met every challenge head-on and never failed her children. Money was always in short supply, but they never missed a meal and always had what they needed. She taught her children to be strong and independent.
As a result of her strength and faith and the example she set as the matriarch of her large family, our communities and nation are populated with business owners, teachers and educators, doctors, firemen, medical and emergency professionals, men of faith, trades and craftsmen, contractors, and on and on. Most importantly, her family is a family of faith and good citizens.
Wilna touched the hearts of many, often taking in those who needed a place to eat and live, giving them her great guidance. She followed in her mother’s footsteps as an excellent cook, often baking 144 biscuits each morning. One son wrote a song that included the verse, “she had a hundred ways to cook a pinto bean.” She told friends and family that “I would have pintos and potatoes today, then potatoes and pintos tomorrow.” Her reputation as a cook was widely appreciated by the thousands of hungry patrons who had the privilege of sitting at her tables. She earned the affectionate title of the “Best Southern Cook” from her loved ones.
Wilna spent her career as a restaurant manager and chef, working at establishments like Blue Birds Grocery, M & E Restaurants, Sands Restaurant, and KFC. William and Wilna helped create and run Gentry’s BBQ.
Her life philosophy was simple: Live your faith with an abundance of forgiveness, work hard with honesty and your best effort, laugh at yourself and with others, and love your family and friends with all your heart.
She never quit raising her family. At the age of 96 years, 5 months and nine days, her last words to her children were “love each other, always love each other.”
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Wiser and Joe Wiser officiating. Burial will follow in the Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 4 PM until 8 PM on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home.
Survivors include all 12 of her children, Jack (Deborah) Gentry, Jerry (Jan) Gentry, Danny (Janice) Gentry, Randy (Audrey) Gentry, Gary Gentry, Deborah Gentry, Terry (Phyllis) Gentry, Mike (Pam) Gentry, Jeff (Cindy) Gentry, David (Shawn) Gentry, Dale (Teresa) Gentry, and Steve (Vanatta) Gentry; 28 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Linda (Oren) Bates; brothers, Larry Lewter, and Denny Lewter; sisters-in-law, Cindy Gibson, and Pete Gentry; brother-in-law, Bill Gentry; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and special friends.
In addition to her parents, Wilna was preceded in death by her husband, William Bernard Gentry; daughter-in-law, Teresa “Terri” Gentry; grandsons, Mark Blevins, Kevin Gentry, and Christopher Ryan Gentry; brothers, E.W. Lewter, and Jimmy Lewter; sisters, Gayle Lewter Haislip, Eloise Lewter Dollar, Doris Lewter Solomon; and sisters-in-law, Kathy Lewter, and Donna Lewter.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 1016 W. Jackson Blvd. #1073, Chicago, Illinois 60607.
She will be deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing her. Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Wilna Lowe Lewter Gentry.
Our prayers to your family. Love Allison and Henry Greene
Our family and the Gentry family only lived a few miles from each other. We grew up together , went to school together, had some Great times and share some wonderful memories. Miss Gentry welcomed everyone with open arms. You didn’t have to knock, you just opened the door and went in. Her home was your home and she always had something for us to eat and she was a Great cook. Miss Gentry was a special person and that has trickled down to her children. She taught them to love others just the way she did. She was such a Blessing to anyone who had the privilege of knowing her. I will cherish the times I spent with Miss Gentry and her family growing up. You all are in our families thoughts and prayers as you say goodbye today for now. God Bless.
Ms. Wilna’s warm smile and loving nature will always be remembered. She was an angel here on earth! Prayers for peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Wilna was an exceptional person to say the least. There is a treasure trove of lessons that she taught by example from which we can all benefit.
I haven’t met all of the Gentry clan, but the character of the ones I have met speak strongly of the character and strength of Ms. Wilma. I have never met a kinder or more gracious lady than Ms. Wilma. My condolences to all of the family.
I extend my deepest condolences to family and friends. My heart is broken. May she rest in Heavens light where there is no more pain nor sorrow.
So sorry to hear of Mrs Gentry passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Wow where can you start like so many others we were raised up with this family. Her home was our home that’s just how she made you feel. Boy did she have her hands full from my older brother Eddie to youngest brother Danny. Of course, Debbie and I were no problem. Eddie, Randy and Joe Parks worked at KFC with her how she kept them in line is beyond me but believe me she did. Then came along Danny and Jeff. Those were some of the greatest memories. This lady was a Mother to all that walked through her door, and I couldn’t imagine how many people that was till this day. We love you all so much and what a great blessing to have her for 96 wonder years.
We called and sang Happy Birthday to her on her last birthday. Bless her she listened all the way through. May God comfort and keep you in his loving arms in the days to come. 🙏
Debbie and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. What a legacy you all have shared. Prayers for peace and comfort in the days ahead.
My deepest sympathy in the loss of your Mom. She was a wonderful and dear Lady. To the older ones that I went to school with and rode the same bus, I value the friendship we had. I pray that God will give all of you comfort in the days ahead and the precious memories you have will remain in your hearts always. Prayers for the family.
Sandra Steadman Stevenson
Mama Gentry, I’m not sure which memory to share as there are sooooooo many. If it weren’t for you and your help and guidance I think Matthew and Peyton would have drove You, Debbie and I all nuts. Lol. They tried anyways. I lost count of all the times Debbie has called and sent me to your house to have you hang that phone up so she could get through to you. But that’s ok because I didn’t mind at all as it gave me a chance to visit with you and get a hug and an “I love you and please come see me again soon”. I’m going to miss that the most, I think. Thank you so much for “adopting” Peyton and I into the family. We love you and will miss you so much. You will never be forgotten. Rest easy now. See you again someday.
I’m very sorry for your loss. What an amazing woman!! To know her was to love her and like so many others, I loved her very much.
I did not know Mrs Gentry but her life was a testimony to a wonderful woman and mother. My thoughts and prayers will be with her family during this time of sorrow.
What a wonderful lady she was! Always gracious and caring and treated me like family!!My heart is heavy and I will be praying for the family..
To the entire Gentry Family,
Just wanted to take this time to extend my sincere sympathy to each and every one of you. You are all and will continue to be in my Thoughts and Prayers. May God Continue to Be With and Bless You All. Ms. Wilna was such a loving and caring person who not only loved her family but she also loved her Lord and l know in my heart she served the Lord Faithfully. She will greatly be missed by all of us that knew her as well as loved her.
To all of you .I am so so very sorry to hear of Mrs Wilna’s passing..Such a sweet southern lady.My heart goes out to all of you.May God wrap his arms around you all as Heaven has gained another Angel.
Dear Family,
I am so sorry for your loss of this precious lady. My thoughts, love and prayers are with you now and in the days ahead. God Bless all of you.
I always loved going to Momma Gentry’s, she always made me a bunch of pancakes and stayed stocked on peanut butter!! I played and played; pretending to be a waitress and plenty more. I love you Momma Gentry.
We could just sit and listen to Aunt Wilna forever, her stories, her laugh, and her love of family. She will forever be branded on our hearts. We are sending love and prayers to all who knew and loved her, especially her family. She will be truly missed.
Aunt Wilna was a sweet lady ,so sorry prayers for the family
We are So Sorry. She was A Beautiful Lady inside and out. God Bless the Family with Comfort and Peace in the Days to Come.
Thoughts and prayers for Ms.Wilna’s family❤️🙏 She was a precious lady to us. . Our family has been good friends with the Gentry family as long as I can remember. We went to school with so many of you and have lots of wonderful memories. She was always smiling, and at all ballgames and school functions. We love you all and know you are in our prayers🙏❤️