~ Courier-Times Roxboro, N.C. Churches Husband, wife team recalls 60 o Walter and Odelia... - Gentry mark 60 years of marriage and 60 years of serving God- together By RENEE GENTRY C-T Staff Writer It was a love of God and a love of each other that kept Walter F. and Odelia P. Gentry together for the past 60 years- working as a team to serve the Lord. Rev. Gep.ta was ordained as a minister on Aug. 3, 1937 at Mill Creek Baptist ghurch. Three weeks later, he wed Odelia Perkins. Since their wedding on Aug. 24, 1937, the two have been a teamin their personal and professional lives. "I couldfl.'t have done what 1 did without her," said Rev. Gentry of his wife. In addition to being a homemaker, Mrs. Gentry helped her hus band with typing duties, reports, and other various secretarial du ties at the churches they served. Mrs. Gentry noted with a smile that she also bore the couple's three children, Walter Lee Gentry of Greenville, Carol Gentry Wall of Nashville, Tenn., and Frances Gentry Thomas of Lillington. "We've been a team," said Mrs. Gentry. "We've definitely worked together and had the same aim- to establish a Christian home and to serve the churches as the Lord has led us." Rev. Gentry felt led to the ministry at a young age. "1 grew up in church and I liked it." He received a B.A. degree from Wake Forest University in 1937. He began his college career during the-depression, back when a haircut cost him 10 cents. During his first year at Wake Forest, he spent less than $100. After his ordination into the ministry, he and Odelia studied at Southwestern Theological Seminary in Texas for three years. He received a Master's of Theology degree, and she received a diploma in religious education. They returned to North Carolina and served at Belhaven Baptist in Belhaven for one year. From 1942 to 1948, they served at Momeyer Baptist in Momeyer, and from 1948 to 1952 they served at Churchland Baptist in Lexington. They then served at Walkertown Baptist, located north of Winston-Salem, for four years. Rev. Gentry then began his longest pastorate, serving at ~ Baptist Church in Lillington for 22 years, 1956-79. Under hil ership, Antioch was the largest rural Baptist church in NortH lina with over 900 members. While at Antioch, Rev. Gentry baptized 362 people, and con~ 220 funerals and 118 weddings. During his tenure there, 11 ordained three men into the ministry- James Ronald Byrd Stone, and Authur Wall, his son-in-law. Mrs. Gentry was a Sunday School teacher, a choir membe was active in the WMU and B.T.U. The couple retired from that church in April of 1979 and re~ to Roxboro.. "The most rewarding thing to me is seeing people grow s ally," Rev. Gentry's said of his life's work, "and in the proce ourselves have grown." Under the Gentrys' leadership, all of the churches they i built additional buildings and/or acquired more property. "It was all done with the help of the Lord," said Rev. GentI"j was also instrumental in organizing a new church betweel Bragg and Lillington during his tenure at Antioch. The new church, named Antioch Baptist Mission, was orgt in 1958. Members of Antioch Baptist saw the need for a chu that area near Fort Bragg. For 10 years, Rev. Gentry serve! churches, preaching three services each Sunday- a mornii1 vice at Antioch, a morning service at the mission, and a nig] vice at Antioch. He even helped dig the foundation for a fellowship hall mission in 1964. Under his leadership, the mission's sanctual completely renovated in 1970. The church became Calvary B Church on Oct. 6,1974. When the Gentrys retired in 1979, they continued to ser Lord at other churches. Rev. Gentry has served interim past: 14 times at eight Person County churches. "Being in these churches, we've been able to meet the best 1 in Person County because the best people are church people Rev. Gentry. He is currently associate pastor at Providence Baptist Cl Odelia's home church. He works with the Rev. Ronn MeCr: pastor of Providence. "They have a good relationship," said Mrs. Gentry. Rev. Gentry visits the sick and shut-ins and fills in whe: McCracken has to be away from the church. Mrs. Gentry j very active at the church. "I've had an opportunity to work with a lot of wonderful pi
Saturday, August 9,1997 B3 hes & Reli Ion calls 60 years.in ministry~y of Winston-Salem, for four years. his longest pastorate, serving at Antioch I hncrr{,ln for 22 years, 1956-79. Under his lead rural Baptist church in North CaroGentry baptized 362 people, and conducted weddings. During his tenure there, he also the ministry- James Ronald Byrd, Thby his son-in-law. ~~'''~''.7 School teacher, a choir member, and andb.t.u. that church in April of 1979 and returned ' thing to me is -seeing people grow spiritu of his life's work, "and in the process, we leadership, all of the churches they served and/or acquired more property. the help of the Lord," said Rev. Gentry, who in organizing a new church between Fort during his tenure at Antioch. l"a.l1u:::u Antioch Baptist Mission, was organized Antioch Baptist saw the need for a church in Bragg. For 10 years, Rev. Gentry served both three services each Sunday- a morning ser norning service at the mission, and a night s~r- dig the foundation for a fellowship hall at the lder his leadership, the mission's sanctuary was ed in 1970. The church became Calvary Baptist 1974. ~s retired in 1979, they continued to serve the :hes. Rev. Gentry has served interim pastorates erson County churches. lurches, we've been able to meet the best people lecause the best people are church people," said. lssociate pastor at Providence Baptist Church, echo He works with the Rev. Ronn McCracken, :e. d relationship," said Mrs. Gentry. ;s the sick and shut-ins and fills in when Rev. be away from the church. Mrs. Gentry is also hurch. rtunity to work with a lot of wonderful peo Ie" Ken Martln/C-T Walter and Odelia Gentry will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 24. said Mrs. Gentry. "Sharing his life has been very rewarding." The couple was honored during the worship service at Providence Baptist on Sunday, Aug. 3. They were presented with a plaque in recognition of their 60th wedding anniversary and 60 years in the ministry. A reception was held in their honor that afternoon.
Gentry Couple Given Car by Grateful Antioch Congregation When the Rev. Walter F. Gentry, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Mamers and a mai~ the community for over 22 years, announced his retirement, his con~re~ation decided they wanted to do something special for him. That "something special" came on Sunday, April 22, the Rev. Gentry's 65th birthday: At the close of the regular morning worship services Mr. and Mrs. Gentry were presented the keys to a brand-new, four door Chevrolet Caprice Classic. the presentation was made on behalf of the church by Curtis Parker. chairman of the Board of Deacons, who also gave the couple a check. In addition to the car, the Gentrys were presented a plaque of appreciation by Harrington Morrison. The Gentry children and their spouses - Walter Lee and Patsy Gentry, Carol and Authur Wall and Frances and Baxley Thomas, unveiled a 20 x 24 pencil and water color portrait of the Rev. and Mrs. Gentry and presented it to the church. The artist was Ronald Sloan, a member ofthe church. Following the presentations, a dinner was held in the fellow ship hall to honor Rev. Gentry. Many special guests were on hand including Rev. Gentry's mother, his brothers and sisters, the three children of Rev. and Mrs. Gentry and their families and Mrs. Gentry's sisters. Over SOO attended the worship services and dinner. Flowers in the sanctuary were {lrovided by the Adult Choir and ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH honored Its retiring pastor and hls wife, the Rev. and Mrs. Walter F. Gentry, April 22 after the momlng services. Seen here wlthmr. and Mrs. Gentry at the rlght are Harrlngton Morrison [left], who presented the couple a plaque of orchid corsage for Mrs. Gentry and a red rose boutonniere for Mr. Gentry were presented by the church. Rev. Gentry. who has served as a Baptist minister for 39 years, came to Antioch as pastor on February 22, 1957. His last service was on Sunday, April 29. Under the leadership of Rev. Gentry, Antioch experienced appreclatlon for the 22 years they served the church and Curtis Parker, chairman of the Board of Deacons, who presented the couple a check and the keys to a brand new Chevrolet automobue.. success in many ways. A mission was established, where he preached every Sunday for 10 years as well as bei,!lg a full-time pastor of Antioch. The mission is now an estabiished church. Antioch also acquired nine acres of land where the Fellow ship Hall was built, established a Day Care Center, employed a Liiii~gton: H-arnett CounlY Ne incolnton: Lincoln Times-News Littleton Observer Louisburg: Franklin Times Madison Messenger Maiden News Manteo: Coastland Times Marion: McDowell News Marshall: News-Record Marshville Home tm'( 10 1979 {!hurch secretary-treasurer, a music director and a youth and education director, ordained three ministers and commissioned on foreign missionary. During these 22 years the church budget was increased from $15,000 a year to $90,000. ~ Rev. Gentrv has baoti e ~arried 118 and conducted 2 funerals while pastor at Antioch. He is a graduate of Wake Forest College and the Southwestern Seminary. Following graduation from the seminary, he went to Belhaven in 1940 for his first pastorate. From 1941-1948 he served two churches in Nash County Momeyer and Philadelphia. The family lived in Momeyer and drove the 16 miles to philadelphia. He served as pastor school In 1( Churcl to set"1 went near Mrs imporl minist the Ac. class, Adult Missi< a five
appreciation for the 22 years they served the church and Curtis Parker, chairman of tbe Board of D'eacons, who presented the couple a check and the keys to a brand-new Cbevrolet automobue_ ' success in many ways. A mission was established, where he preached every Sunday for 10 years as well as bei!lg a fu ll-time pastor of Antioch. The mission is now an estabiished church. Antioch also acquired nine acres of land where the Fellowship Hall was built, established a Day Care Center, employed a church secretary-treasurer, a music director and a youth and education director, ordained three ministers and commissioned on foreign missionary. During these 22 years the church budget was increased from 515,000 a year to 590,000. Rev. Gentrv ha<; blloti,~, '_ married 118 and <»nducted 2~pastor and also principal of the funerals while pastor at school during this time. Antioch. In 1948 ~ev. Gentry went to He is a graduate of Wake Churchland in Davidson County Forest College and the. to serve as pastor. In 1952 he Southwestern Seminary. went to Walkertown Church Following graduation from the near Winston Salem. b seminary, he went to Belhaven Mrs. Gentry also played an..~~. ~o~e; in 1940 for his first pastorate. important role in the family's )VM',\~'bo'$'~~ 1't:P~' '0'1 From 1941-1948 he served two ministry at Antioch. She taught cti.y.~ ~e \~ ~\~ ~b" churches in Nash County - the Adult Ladies Sunday School O o~e ~'1 ~~ Momeyer and Philadelphia. The class, was very active in e ~e'bo ~~ family lived in Momeyer and Adult Choir and in the Woma...'---...ef\ ~e drove the 16 miles to Missionary Union. She served AntioO~~. Philadelphia. He served as a five-year term as Associational COUln",," "e'o' ~o1> r.,e b.~~
REV. W.F. GENTRY Rev. Gentry I Revival Speaker At M ill Creek Mill Creek Baptist Church, located at Rt. 2~boro, wlll begin revival services Sunday, April 18; the services will continue through Friday, AprU 23. Rev. Clyde McLain, pastor of the church, said that Rev. W.F. Gentry a native 01. Person COUn y, will be the guest evangelist. Rev. Gentry grew up in the Mill Creek community and church and was educated at Wake Forest University and Southwestern Seminary in Tex!lS. He is presently pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church of Mamers, N.C., where he has served for 14 years. Antioch is the second largest rural church in the Southern Baptist Association. Rev. McLain also said that special music will be presented nightly and issued an open invitation to the public to attend the s,rvices. Ro cki~am: Sandhilrlnaependent Roxboro: Courier-Times...Ret'd OldCbll. )lull f rd Go. News Scotland Ne ck Commonwealth Selma: Johnstonian-Sun Shallotte: Brunswick Beacon Shelby: Cleveland Times Siler City: Chatham News Smithfield Herald Snow Hill: Greene Co. Ledger Southern Pines Pilat :-7fPifts "1~71 ~