Cary – Laurie Smith Cooper Gentry, a long time resident of Cary, died peacefully on Saturday, January 22, 2011, after a lengthy illness. Laurie was retired from a career as a well-known Cary realtor. She was very active for many years in the First United Methodist Church of Cary as both a member and as a biscuit maker at the annual church fair booth. Her favorite pastime and hobby was helping other people. Laurie was deeply loved by her husband of 49 years, Gladwyn “Lucky” Cooper, who died on September 24, 1998. Following Lucky’s death, Laurie remarried her husband, Ircil Gentry, who lovingly and faithfully cared for her throughout her retirement and extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Laurie was born as the youngest of five children to Runa and Lula Smith of Chatham County, NC on September 11, 1930. The family soon moved to Greensboro, NC where she lived until moving to Cary in 1958, where she resided until her death.
She is survived by her husband, Ircil Gentry, her sons and daughters-in-law: Alex and Helen Cooper, Marty Cooper, Tommy and Rebecca Cooper, Margie Hammond, and Chip Gentry. Her grandchildren include Runa, Greg, Daniel, Molly and Jones Cooper and Julie Malinofski, along with her great grandchild, Ava Malinofski. Her sisters-in-law include Marie Smith of Cary, who helped care for her throughout her illness, Ellen Smith of Salisbury, NC and Inez Smith of Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gladwyn “Lucky” Cooper; her son, Donald Wayne Cooper; her brothers Sigmon Smith, Claude Smith, Doyle Smith and her sister, Emma Sue Baynes.
A celebration of her life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Cary at 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 29, 2011. The family will receive out of town family and friends in the Fellowship Hall of the church prior to the service from 1-2:45 pm and local family and friends immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First United Methodist Church at 117 South Academy Street in Cary, NC 27511 or to Hospice of Wake County at 250 Hospice Circle in Raleigh, NC 27607.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Cary (919) 467-8108.
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