Cynthia Anne Gentry

Cynthia Anne Shuba Gentry

Cynthia Anne Shuba Gentry, of Bristol, Tennessee, died Wednesday, August 19, 2009, after a long and brave battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

She leaves behind her husband, Rick; and her son, Patrick; as well as her two crazy dogs, Cork and Clare.

Born in Warren, Ohio, and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, she was the first of four children born to William B. and Maxine E. Shuba. She graduated from North Central High School and Indiana University, where she became a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She also earned a master's degree in education from I.U., and went on to earn an additional master's degree in health physics from The College of William and Mary. She taught in the Newport News city school system and later at Duke University, before accepting a position as a technical representative with DuPont based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Later based in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, she retired from DuPont after 10 years of service to devote her time to raising Patrick.

Upon moving to Bristol, she became active in school activities serving as a room mother, coach for Odyssey of the Mind, and Madrigal booster president. She was an ever-present supporter of the teachers and students throughout Patrick's school experiences at Haynesfield, Holston View, Vance, and Tennessee High.

She was an energetic member of the Hill and Dale Garden Club, a federated flower show judge, a life member of the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, and a Virginia Master Gardener. Additionally, she expanded her expertise and love of flowers through activities with Keep Bristol Beautiful.

As an active supporter of the Wellmont Foundation, she chaired the event establishing the Dr. Frank Blanton Scholarship fund. She was a member of the Beaver Creek Ya-Ya's and the Blue Stocking Club, and was active in their efforts to benefit the less fortunate of our community.

Her most loved roles, however, were being Rick's wife and Patrick's mother, and she excelled at both.

Survivors include her husband, Richard R. Gentry of Bristol, Tennessee; and son, Patrick R. Gentry of Nashville, Tennessee; mother, Maxine E. Shuba of Fort Myers, Florida; brother, William D. Shuba and special friend, Lori Thompson, of Fort Myers, Florida; brother and sister-in-law, Michael D. and Lynn Shuba of Woodbury, Minnesota; sister and brother-in-law, Megan M. and Robert Ahlers Jr. of Fishers, Indiana; mother-in-law, Alice W. Gentry of Inman, South Carolina; sister-in-law and brother-in law, Jane G. and Robert Fleming of Earlysville, Virginia; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joan G. and Mitchell Wilson of Charlottesville, Virginia; nephews and nieces, Christopher Shuba and his wife, Melissa, and their son, Logan, of North Saint Paul, Minnesota, Robert Donald Ahlers of Chicago, Illinois, Theodore Wilson of Charlottesville, Virginia, Robert Fleming of Earlysville, Virginia, Emily Tischer and her husband, Jason, and their son and daughter, Cade and Allie, of Blaine, Minnesota, Lauren Shuba of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Kristin Caputa and her husband, Santo, and their daughter, Reiley, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Adair and Gretchen Ahlers of Fishers, Indiana.

She was predeceased by her father, William B. Shuba of Indianapolis, Indiana; and her father-in-law, James M. Gentry of Inman, South Carolina.

A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, August 23, 2009, at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, after which the family will greet friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Frank Blanton Scholarship Fund, Wellmont Foundation, 1905 American Way, Suite 102, Kingsport, TN 37660.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.oakley-cook.com.

The Gentry Family is in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, Bristol, Tennessee.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.