Thelma Slawter Gentry

Thelma S. Gentry passed away peacefully on April 12, 2023 at Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Elkin, NC.  She had just celebrated her 96 ^th birthday on April 10.  “Granny” Thelma, as everyone referred to her, was born in 1927 in Pilot Mountain, NC, to Emery Ellis and Nevada Collins Slawter.

Thelma was a member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church, she was revered by old and young.  Many members of her loving church family were very faithful to keep in touch with her when she could no longer attend services.  She loved her Lord and was dedicated to her church.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband Roger A. Gentry ; two sons Chris Gentry and Andy Gentry; grandson, Luke Gentry; daughter-in-law, Penny Walker; four brothers and one sister.

Survivors include: son, Tim Gentry and wife Karen; daughter, Sue Dobbins and husband Steve; daughter-in-law, Mary Gentry (Ted); grandchildren, Allison, Andrew (Callie), Ronny (Jon), Cord, Aaron (Ashley) and Nikki (Jared); great-grandchildren, Jackson and Ella; sister, Alma Martin; several nieces and nephews; two special first cousins, Joyce and Lindy, all three born within a year’s time; they enjoyed sharing their life experiences with each other over ninety-five years.

Thelma’s life was a long, happy one focusing on her children and grandchildren, who adored their “Granny”. Her many friends marveled at her humor and wit, her gracious smile and her Southern hospitality.  She was an avid gardener, whose flower beds and vegetable gardens were the envy of the neighborhood.  She loved to pick blackberries and could turn them into the most scrumptious cobblers around.  Cooking was a favorite pastime when she was not outdoors in the garden; she loved sharing her jams and jellies, casseroles and desserts with family, friends and neighbors.  Thelma enjoyed relaxing trips to the mountains and to the coast with her family, especially Davis Island, NC and Kiawah Island, SC.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Poplar Springs Baptist Church. A reception at the church will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to The Andy Gentry Scholarship Fund c/o Elkin City Schools Admin Center, 202 West Spring St. Elkin, NC 28621 or to The Chris Gentry Scholarship Fund, Attn: Holly S. Hutto, Chief Financial Officer, Barnwell School District 45, 770 Hagood Avenue, Barnwell, SC 29812 or to Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, P. O. Box 38, State Road, NC  28676.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the nursing staff of Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center who cared for their “Granny” with love and devotion.  She made many new friends there who will miss her.