Merrill Rainey Gentry

April 27, 1917 - January 22, 2016

Mr. Merrill Rainey Gentry, age 98, of Crawford , MS died Friday, January 22, 2016 at his daughter’s home in Crawford. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be Sunday, January 24, 2016 at Memorial Funeral Home from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Services will be Monday, January 26, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Bethesda Baptist Church in Crawford, MS with Pastor Allen Dees officiating.

The son of the late William Albert and Nellie Bell Gentry, Mr. Gentry was born April 27, 1917
in Crawford. He was a longtime member and Deacon of Bethesda Baptist Church. He was also the
owner of Gentry Roofing and Sheet Metal Co. and Crawford Telephone Company, and he was a Mason.
He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Hilman Gentry, Lewis Gentry, William A. Gentry, Jr.,
and Malcolm Gentry and sisters Maybelle Taylor, Eunice Bell, Pat Hurst and Doris Bias and his wife Ava Rae Burkett Gentry.

He is survived by children Tommy Gentry (Beth) of Hattiesburg , Judy Turnage of Columbus,
Bobby Gentry (Dayne) of Murrah , KY , Larry Gentry (Lee), Merilyn Gentry and Ginny Gentry Bailey,
all of Crawford. He is also survived by brothers Gerald Gentry ( Jewell) of Artesia and Mickey Gentry
(Brenda)of Crawford and sisters Shirley Brown ( Son) of Artesia, Peggy Phillips of Crawford and
Billie Jean Noland (Gerald of Caledonia . He is also survived by ten grandchildren Wendy Morton,Karen Jones, Misty Gentry, Jeff Gentry, Jennifer Tucker, Lauren Maki, Alan Bailey, Josh Bailey, Amy Harrelsonand Rachel Guyton and
ten great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Buddy Gentry, Wayne Gentry, Alan Bailey, Josh Bailey, Jeff Gentry and
Gale Sherman, Ernie Lowrimore  and David Gray. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Hayden
and Bill Swedenburg.

Memorials may be made to Gideons’ International, P.O. Box 669 , Starkville , MS 39759 .