Linda Gentry

1946 - 2025

Linda Carmen Heflin Gentry, 79, was called to her heavenly home on November 12, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Linda was born and raised in West Point, Mississippi, and was the daughter of the late Harroll Dodds Heflin and Dulcia Bane Jackson Heflin. She was a graduate of West Point High School. On September 4, 1964, Linda married the love of her life, John Gordon Gentry. They made their home for many years in Crawford, Mississippi, and moved to Macon in 2020 to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law.
Linda was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, daughter, nanny, nana, aunt, sister, and friend. She spent her days caring for her home and family. She especially loved her grandchildren and enjoyed taking care of them whenever she could. Linda was an easygoing, kind, and gentle person with a loving heart for others.
She especially enjoyed quilting which she learned from her mother. She had custom quilt frames handmade by her husband. She was meticulous about her stitches being small and precise, and she lovingly gifted many quilts to family and friends over the years. Her love of Christmas was evident through her vast collection of Hallmark ornaments, nativity scenes, Santas, and snowmen. She enjoyed keeping some of her favorite things displayed in her home throughout the year.
Johnny and Linda shared a deep love for Southern Gospel music. Linda sang soprano while Johnny often played instruments, and her sister Peggy sang alto. Music was a joyful part of their lives and their shared faith.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Gordon Gentry; her son, John Dodds Gentry; her grandson, John Dodds (J.D.) Gentry, Jr.; and her sister, Peggy Heflin Gentry.
She is survived by her daughter, Gina Gentry Cotton (Chuck); daughter-in-law, Gina Kellum Gentry; granddaughters Ashley Cotton Cutrer (Lance) and Laura Cotton Chancellor (Dale); grandsons Jackson Kellum Gentry and Joshua Gordon Gentry; great-grandsons Luke Cotton Cutrer, Colt Gentry Chancellor, and Cooper Bane Chancellor; sister Harriett Heflin Doyel (Cleat); and bonus grandson James Wesley Gibson (Rebecca) and their children Mary Leighton and James Haze.
Funeral services will be held at Cockrell Funeral Home, 3478 Jefferson St., Macon, MS 39341, Friday, November 14, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. with Chuck Cotton and Mark Dewberry officiating. Interment will follow in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in the Bradley Community of Oktibbeha County, MS. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. before the services. Memorials may be made to Gideons International c/o Jean Caston, 235 Cresent Drive, Columbus, MS 39705 or St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital, 501 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. ….