Laura Gentry Beamer

Mrs. Laura Jean Gentry Beamer, age 78, passed away Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. Laura was born December 24, 1942 in Jonesville, NC to Arvil and Alva Shafffner Gentry. She moved to Elkin when she married her husband, Billy G. Beamer and lived there until she passed away. Laura was a dedicated wife and mother and was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church.

Laura kept children in her home over the years and loved all of them as her own, lovingly known as “Mamaw” to many. She never met a stranger and even in the past few years when she battled dementia, she always greeted everyone with a smile and told them she loved them.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Billy G. Beamer; sisters, Loretta Binkley, Clara Tuttle and Mary Lou Edwards and brother, Billy Joe Gentry.

Survivors include: daughters, Melinda Cockerham and husband Keith of State Road and Sherron Mooney and husband Scott of Elkin; grandchildren, Annie Walters (Kelly Calloway), Morgan Cockerham, Leah Cockerham, Chelsea Cockerham and Ethan Carroll. Laura was the youngest of eight children with three brothers surviving, Evon Gentry of Winston Salem, George Gentry of Pffafftown and James Gentry of Winston-Salem, along with many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church with Rev. Dennis Ball and Dr. Dan Merritt officiating. Burial will follow in Crestwood Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zepher Road, Dobson, NC 27017, Ruby Pardue Blackburn Adult Day Health Care Center, PO Box 984, N. Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, 1997 Pleasant Ridge Road, State Road, NC 28676.

The family would like to thank the staff of Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home for their loving care of Laura while she was there.