Charles Bethel Gentry, Jr.

Mr. Charles Bethel Gentry, Jr., age 88 of McEwen, TN, passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at AHC in Waverly, TN. Charles was born on June 30, 1935, in McEwen, TN, to Charles “Bethel” Gentry, Sr., and Zoreta Estelle Murrell Gentry. Charles began his electrical career at the age of 17, working for a contractor in Newbern, TN. Soon after, he went to Jacksonville, FL, where he worked as an electrician by day and worked for the railroad at night. Just a few years later he was operating his own electrical business back in McEwen. Later, Charles moved to Gainesville, FL, and joined his brother, John Earl Gentry, as co-owner/co-operator of Terra Nova Electric. He returned to McEwen several years later to set up a new mechanical contracting company called Universal Service Co. He served Humphreys County and surrounding counties for many years in this business. He also taught the electrical curriculum at Waverly High School in their vocational department.

Charles was a devout Christian and was an evangelist in the US for 68 years, preaching in many places from Michigan to Florida. While preaching in Michigan he supplemented his income by hanging sheetrock for a building contractor. Along with this, he completed several missionary trips throughout the world, including Europe, China, and a 3-year stay in Japan. Charles was a nature enthusiast. He loved being outside enjoying the herbs, flowers, and plants of God’s wonderful creation. He also ran his own portable sawmill, traveling all over doing small logging jobs for people in the community. He was an avid beekeeper and loved teaching others about them and showing them how to harvest honey. In his free time, he became a private pilot and loved giving people plane rides that had never flown before. Throughout his lifetime, Charles just loved helping people and serving the Lord. Charles will be remembered as a loving brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, uncle, and friend.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Norman Gentry (Debbie), McEwen, TN; Randy Gentry (Kathy), McEwen, TN; Janetta England (Eddie), White Bluff, TN; and Sandra Gentry, Dickson, TN; siblings: Anita Paschall (Robert), McEwen, TN; Jan Williams, McEwen, TN; and Ray Gentry (Ginger) McEwen, TN; 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Bethel and Zoreta Gentry; brother: John Earl Gentry; a great-great-granddaughter; and Laquita Norman, the mother of his children.

Visitation for Charles Gentry, Jr., will be held on Monday, June 10, 2024, beginning at 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Luff-Bowen Funeral Home in McEwen and on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 12:00 P.M. until the time of service at 2:00 P.M. Officiating the service will be Bro. John Gentry, Bro. Jason Gentry, and Bro. Clay Gentry. Interment to follow at Gorman Cemetery in McEwen, TN.

Arrangments are entrusted to Luff-Bowen Funeral Home
Online condolences may be made by visiting our website at luffbowen.com
9729 HWY 70 East, McEwen, TN 37101
931-582-6271