Sandra Caplinger Gentry

Sandra Kay Caplinger Gentry, age 72, of Smithville, Tennessee, passed away on March 5, 2026.

She was born in Lebanon, Tennessee and spent her childhood living in Chapman Hollow in Dowelltown with her parents, sister, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She attended Liberty Elementary School and Dekalb County High School, then went on to graduate from Middle Tennessee State University where she earned a degree in English and Secondary Education.

Upon graduation, she moved to Nashville and began her career at the Baptist Sunday School Board. During this time, she met and married her husband, Tim, with whom she would share 49 years of marriage.

Tim and Sandra joined First Baptist Church in May of 1987, and she went on to hold several different staff positions there, serving joyfully in each one. Her delight and favorite role of her career was as Director of the First Baptist Church Child Development Center where she served for twenty years. She loved the children, families and teachers in tangible and impactful ways throughout her time there.

Sandra loved Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, and her quiet faith showed in her everyday life. She was a friend to many and was always willing to lend a hand, a hug, or a smile to anyone who needed it. A lifelong Vanderbilt football and basketball fan, she was always sure to text her daughters reminders about upcoming games.

She is survived by her dear husband, Tim Gentry; daughter, Molly Gentry; daughter, Marissa Moore and her husband Jeremy, and their two children Gentry Claire and Jackson; and her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Lou and Mike Gilley. She also leaves behind her nephew Jody Gilley and his wife, Natalie, and their children Olivia, Cora, and Jacob; her niece Jessica Gilley Tatrow and her husband Brad, and their children Emmy, Maeson, and Hudson whom she loved dearly.

A celebration of life service will be held at Nashville First Baptist Church on Tuesday, March 10 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation prior to the service from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held at Dekalb Memorial Gardens in Smithville, Tennessee, on Wednesday, March 11 at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Preschool Child Development Center at Nashville First Baptist Church, 108 Seventh Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203.

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