Edwin Bailey Kent

KENT, Edwin Bailey, son of Robert P. Kent and Bessie Kent, died on Monday, July 5, 2010, at the Morningside Assisted Living facility in Midlothian, Virginia, in the presence of his wife, Jeanne B. Kent; and sons, Steven B. Kent and Robert E. Kent, after a long battle with cancer. Edwin hailed from Columbia, Virginia, and attended Fluvanna County High School, where he played football, basketball, and ran track. After a semester at Fork Union Military Academy, Edwin attended Hampden-Sydney College on a football scholarship and was a starter for the team his sophomore year. Edwin left school at the outbreak of World War II and worked as a shipfitter at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He then joined the U.S. Army and the 411th Engineer Special Shop Battalion which deployed to Luzon in the Philippines. For his service, Edwin received the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, a Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. After the war, Edwin worked for his family's business, Kent Brothers Lumber Company, before becoming a U.S. rural mail carrier. He married Jeanne Baker Kent on June 17, 1950, and the couple recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The couple had three children, Kathy, Robert and Steven; and three grandsons. Edwin was predeceased by a daughter, Kathy. Edwin spent over 35 years as a rural mail carrier, retiring with 40 years of government service. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 9 2010, at the Memorial Baptist Church, Columbia, Va. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church. Sheridan Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.