Funeral service for Wilna Lowe Lewter Gentry, age 96, of Fayetteville, TN, will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Wiser and Joe Wiser officiating. Burial will follow in the Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 4 PM until 8 PM on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home.
Wilna was born on May 28, 1928, in Lincoln County, TN, to the late Willie Lawrence Lewter and Odell Lowe Lewter. A member of the Liberty Church of Christ, she spent her career as a restaurant manager and chef, working at establishments like Blue Birds Grocery, M & E Restaurants, Sands Restaurant, and KFC. Alongside her late husband, William Bernard Gentry, Wilna helped create and run Gentry’s BBQ. Outside of work, she was a dedicated mother, known for her love and care for her family. Even just a few weeks before her passing, she could still cook a full meal for everyone, earning the affectionate title of the “Best Southern Cook” from her loved ones. Wilna passed away on November 10, 2024, at the Donalson Care Center in Fayetteville, TN.
Survivors include her children, Jack (Deborah) Gentry, Jerry (Jan) Gentry, Danny (Janice) Gentry, Randy (Audrey) Gentry, Gary Gentry, Deborah Gentry, Terry (Phyllis) Gentry, Mike (Pam) Gentry, Jeff (Cindy) Gentry, David (Shawn) Gentry, Dale (Teresa) Gentry, and Steve (Vanatta) Gentry; 28 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Linda (Oren) Bates; brothers, Larry Lewter, and Denny Lewter; sisters-in-law, Cindy Gibson, and Pete Gentry; brother-in-law, Bill Gentry; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and special friends.
In addition to her parents, Wilna was preceded in death by her husband, William Bernard Gentry; daughter-in-law, Teresa “Terri” Gentry; grandsons, Mark Blevins, Kevin Gentry, and Christopher Ryan Gentry; brothers, E.W. Lewter, and Jimmy Lewter; sisters, Gayle Lewter Haislip, Eloise Lewter Dollar, Doris Lewter Solomon; and sisters-in-law, Kathy Lewter, and Donna Lewter.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 1016 W. Jackson Blvd. #1073, Chicago, Illinois 60607.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Wilna Lowe Lewter Gentry.
