Penny Denise Walker of Gentry Pond Lane passed away Thursday, August 2, 2007. Mrs. Walker was born in Burke County to David and Lillian McKinney Walker and was the Senior Executive Director for Golden Living Nursing Center in Mount Airy, NC for 18 years. She has served in the health industry for all of her adult life. Mrs. Walker was a member of Drexel Memorial Baptist Church, past president of the Elkin Jaycees, a volunteer with The Ark, a member of the Big Elkin Creek Retriever Association, and the North Carolina Health Care Association. Mrs. Walker was preceded in death by her father. Surviving family include: her husband Tim Gentry of the home; one son Cord Gentry of the home; her mother Lillian McKinney Walker of Elkin; two "daughters" Brandi Walker Hall and her husband Michael of State Road, and Alicia Walker of Jonesville; one brother Joe Walker and his wife Cathy of Elkin, one "grandchild" Emery Hall; and her mother and father-in-law Roger and Thelma Gentry of State Road. Funeral services for Mrs. Walker will be held at 9:30 am, Monday, August 6, 2007 at Popular Springs Baptist Church conducted by Pastor Mike Hall. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6-9 pm at Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin. Casual attire is requested for all services. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be made to the Andy Gentry Scholarship Fund c/o Elkin High School, 334 Elk Spur Street, Elkin, NC 28621 and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org. Mrs. Walker loved spending time with her family, entertaining, fine dining, driving her convertible, traveling, and training her Labrador Retrievers. She will be well remembered for her giving heart and zest for life. She constantly displayed her love and compassion for family, friends, and others. All who met this special person knew instantly that she was "better than wonderful."
