Lonnie Ruth Gentry

On Saturday, March 7, 2009, God enrolled a new student in His school of eternal life. Mrs. Lonnie Ruth Gentry passed her final entrance exam to live with the precious Lord and be admitted into Heaven’s gate. Lonnie Ruth was born August 1, 1934, in Gurdon, Arkansas—the only child born to the union of the late Lonnie and Ruth Ardalia Stewart. During her early childhood, her stepfather, Reverend John Bridgeman Miller, christened her at Muldrew Chapel CME in Gurdon, where he served as the pastor. As a young girl, her mother encouraged her musical talents, and by the touch of the Master’s hand, she gracefully played spiritual hymns each Sunday as a faithful musician at Muldrew Chapel. On August 2, 1962, Lonnie Ruth married Mr. Loyd E. Gentry, and to this union, they were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Lonese and Lonna. She and Loyd joined Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church under the pastorage of Reverend A. W. Terry, and there, she continued to share her musical gifts as the musician for the Male Chorus and Senior Choir. Education was of the utmost importance to Lonnie Ruth. Upon graduating from Gurdon High School in 1952 as the salutatorian of her class, she furthered her education at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas. After attending Philander for two years, her desire to excel in the field of education led her to transfer to Henderson State Teachers’ College in Arkadelphia. At Henderson State, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education, Master of Science in Education, and thirty hours above her Masters degree. During her career as an educator in the Arkadelphia Public School System, she touched many lives in the Arkadelphia community. She began her educational career teaching first grade at Peake Elementary School. After eight years of building a firm foundation for her young pupils at Peake, she began teaching at Goza Jr. High School and remained there until her retirement in 1996. Her thirty-four years of dedicated service to education left a lifelong impression on many of her past students and colleagues. Mrs. Gentry always seized the opportunity to share her educational expertise with the teachers she mentored, and she often advised others to “stick a pin in it” whenever she felt the need to give important advice. She firmly believed in empowering others to succeed in every facet of their lives. She kept abreast of trends in education by being a member of the Arkansas Education Association and the Clark County Retired Teachers’ Association. In 1994, Henderson State University Black Alumni recognized her with the Distinguished Black Alumni Award for her outstanding achievements and exemplary efforts in her professional career. In her spare time, Lonnie Ruth enjoyed reading her Bible and spiritual collections, acquiring antiques, writing poetry, creating unique crafts, shopping, and most of all visiting with friends at Wal Mart. She never met a stranger, and she enjoyed conversing with everyone she met. She was a former member of the Sunshine Service Club, and she often enjoyed reminiscing with club members. Nothing could bring her more joy, though, than spending time with her four grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Granny.” She always anticipated their weekend visits and was quick to spoil with hugs and kisses. Lonnie Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie and Ruth Stewart; stepfather, Rev. John Miller; grandparents; six uncles and eleven aunts from the Stewart and Campbell families; two sisters-in-law; and one brother-in-law. Her life and legacy will forever be cherished by her husband, Loyd E. Gentry of Arkadelphia; her daughters, Lonese L. Arnold and her husband, Clarence Ray of Texarkana, Texas; Lonna L. Gentry of Mesquite, Texas, and her fiancé, Lewis Jackson, Jr. of Arlington, Texas; four grandchildren, Morocco, Zanoah, Somerset, and Autumbre Arnold of Texarkana, Texas; two uncles, Carlisle Campbell (Willa Dean) of Arkadelphia; Julius Caesar Campbell (Alfreda) of Cleveland, Ohio; mother-in-law, Alberta Gentry of Okolona, Arkansas; two sisters-in-law, Ruby Jo Bean of Cedar Hill, Texas; Fay Carter (Freddie) of Arkadelphia; four brothers-in-law, George Wiley Gentry (Ruth) of Okolona, Arkansas; James Gentry, Mac Henry Gentry, and Calvin Gentry of Flint, Michigan; and many special cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Mrs. Lonnie Ruth Gentry is now at peace resting in the redemptive love of her master and teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ. A life lived with such fervor cannot die but will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. A Service of Celebration honoring the life and legacy of Mrs. Lonnie Ruth Gentry will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., is the pastor and will preach the celebration message. Mrs. Gentry will lie in state at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church on Friday, March 13, 2009 from 12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m. The family will greet and receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The committal service and final resting place will be in Rose Hedge Cemetery in Gurdon, Arkansas. The bearers of the casket will be Jeff Campbell, Willie Jones, Freddie Carter, James Williams, Ezzard Hunter, Sr., and Naccaman Williams, Sr. Honorary bearers of the casket are the Trustees of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.