Marilyn R. Gentry

She was a native and lifelong resident of Gadsden and graduated from Gadsden High School in 1953. Marilyn married the love of her life, Tim A. Gentry, Jr. in 1954, and remained devoted to him until his death in 1998. Marilyn was described as "Tim's angel" because of her tender, loving care of him after a would-be murderer's bullet paralyzed him in 1988.

Marilyn worked for 27 years in the Labor Department at Goodyear, where she was known to everyone as a kind, fair and extremely hard-working employee. She did her best to help everyone who passed through her office.

Marilyn loved to travel, especially to the beach in Panama City, Florida, where she was a whiz with a metal detector, a hobby she pursued with Tim for many years. She was proudest, though, to be a Christian wife, mother and grandmother. Being Nana to her grandchildren and great-grandchild was her greatest joy. She was a faithful member of Rainbow Church of Christ for nearly 60 years, until her health prevented her from being able to attend services.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Crate F. and Earline H. Reeves; her husband, Tim A. Gentry, Jr.; sister, Martha Reeves Johnson, and brother, Jerry Lamar Reeves.

She is survived by her son, Alan (Ann) Gentry, Southside; daughter Jennifer (Jeff) Whitehorn, Brentwood, TN; grandchildren: Erin Gentry, Antioch, TN; Mark (Krystin) Gentry, Gadsden; Ashleigh (John) Stoffer, Birmingham; Emily Whitehorn, Orlando, FL; great-grandson, Austin Williams, Antioch, TN; sister, Sherry Reeves Cardwell, Gadsden, and by her devoted caregiver and special friend, Barbara (Butch) Anthony, Glencoe.

Marilyn's family is especially grateful for the wonderful care she received at Cherokee Village Assisted Living, Centre, AL, and Piedmont Health Care Center, Piedmont, AL. Special thanks to Amedisys Hospice of Gadsden for their compassionate care during the finals weeks of Marilyn’s life.

Pallbearers will be Mark Gentry, Jeff Whitehorn, John Stoffer, Mark Cardwell, Butch Anthony and John Bowling.

Honorary pallbearers will be her nieces, nephews and elders and deacons of Rainbow Church of Christ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Rainbow Church of Christ, Gadsden, Alabama (www.rainbowchurchofchrist.org); The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis (www.themiamiproject.org) or to Healing Hands International (www.hhi.org).

A visitation for Marilyn will be held Saturday, August 13, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Collier-Butler Funeral & Cremation Services, 824 Rainbow Drive, Gadsden, Alabama 35901. A visitation will also occur Sunday, August 14, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM prior to the service. A funeral service will be held at 2:00PM Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Collier-Butler Chapel. Blake Jones, Minister will officiate. Burial will follow at Crestwood Cemetery in Gadsden, AL. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.