Biography

Juanita Louise Gentry passed away on January 29, 2010, in Owasso, OK. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, she was born in Cleveland, OK on December 31, 1924, in the house her father built in 1920. She was the youngest of seven children born to Ernest and Henrietta Stich. Nita was preceded in death by her parents, husband, James Shi Gentry, brothers Ralph, Raymond, Frank, Gene and Claude Stich, and sister, Fern Wooten. She is survived by her three “perfect” sons (as she claimed!) James and wife Juli of Tulsa, OK, Phillip and wife Jeanne of Plano, TX and Robert and wife Karen of Ft. Smith, AR. She is also survived by her seven “perfect” grandchildren Jeffrey, Jeremiah, April, Joshua, Berri, Cassie, and John Gentry as well as her four great-grandchildren Cayson Gentry Woodley, Jameson, Josianne, and Preston Gentry—and of course her other little one that is due in April. In addition, she is survived by many adoring extended family members and close friends. At her time of death, she was a resident of Baptist Village Nursing Home in Owasso, OK where she had many friends, especially her sweet roommate, Mable.

During WWII, Juanita worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” in the Douglas Bomber Plant here in Tulsa and then when they needed more workers in San Diego, CA, she transferred there. After the war, she settled in Bakersfield, CA where she later met and married handsome Army sergeant, Jimmy Gentry. They settled in Cleveland, OK and were successful business owners for many years. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary prior to his death in 1997. Through the years, Nita loved to crochet and create baby blankets, afghans, scarves and hats for all her loved ones, as well as warm hats for the homeless in Tulsa. As a newly inducted member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, she recently took that a step further by crocheting helmet liners for members of the Armed Forces in Afghanistan. Nita leaves her family a legacy of love and generosity. She was a kind soul who was adored by everyone she knew and will be greatly missed.

Funeral Services

Tuesday February 2, 2010, 11:00 AM at Christview Christian Church
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