~ Courier-Times Roxboro, N.C. Churches

Husband, wife team recalls 60 Baptist, located north ofWinston-Salem, for four years. o Walter and Odelia Rev. then began his longest pastorate, serving at ~ ...... - ­ Baptist Church in Lillington for 22 years, 1956-79. Under hil ership, Antioch was the largest rural Baptist church in NortH Gentry mark 60 years of lina with over 900 members. While atAntioch, Rev. Gentry baptized 362 people, and con~ marriage and 60 years of 220 funerals and 118 weddings. During his tenure there, 11 ordained three men into the ministry- James Ronald Byrd Stone, and Authur Wall, his son-in-law. serving - together Mrs. Gentry was a Sunday School teacher, a choir membe was active in the WMU and B.T.U. By RENEE GENTRY The couple retired from that church inApril of 1979 and re~ C-T Staff Writer to Roxboro. . Itwas a and a love of each other that kept Walter F. "The most rewarding thing to me is seeing people grow s and Odelia P. Gentry together for the past 60 years- working as a ally," Rev. Gentry's said of his life's work, "and in the proce team to serve the Lord. ourselves have grown." Rev. Gep.ta was ordained as a minister on Aug. 3, 1937 at Mill Under the Gentrys' leadership, all of the churches they i Creek Baptist ghurch. Three weeks later, he wed Odelia Perkins. built additional buildings and/or acquired more property. Since their wedding on Aug. 24, 1937, the two have been a team- "It was all done with the help of the Lord," said Rev. GentI"j in their personal and professional lives. • was also instrumental in organizing a new church betweel "I couldfl.'t have done what 1 did without her," said Rev. Gentry of Bragg and Lillington during his tenure at Antioch. his wife. The new church, named Antioch Baptist Mission, was orgt In addition to being a homemaker, Mrs. Gentry helped her hus­ in 1958. Members of Antioch Baptist saw the need for a chu band with typing duties, reports, and other various secretarial du­ that area near Fort Bragg. For 10 years, Rev. Gentry serve! ties at the churches they served. churches, preaching three services each Sunday- a morniI1 Mrs. Gentry noted with a smile that she also bore the couple's vice at Antioch, a morning service at the mission, and a nig] three children, Walter Lee Gentry of Greenville, Carol Gentry Wall vice at Antioch. of Nashville, Tenn., and Frances Gentry Thomas of Lillington. He even helped dig the foundation for a fellowship hall "We've been a team," said Mrs. Gentry. "We've definitely worked mission in 1964. Under his leadership, the mission's sanctual together and had the same aim- to establish a Christian home completely renovated in 1970. The church became Calvary B and to serve the churches as the Lord has led us." Church on Oct. 6,1974. Rev. Gentry felt led to the ministry at a young age. When the Gentrys retired in 1979, they continued to ser "1 grew up in church and I liked it." Lord at other churches. Rev. Gentry has served interim past: He received a B.A. degree from Wake Forest University in 1937. 14 times at eight Person County churches. He began his college career during the-Depression, back when a "Being in these churches, we've been able to meet the best 1 haircut cost him 10 cents. During his first year at Wake Forest, he in Person County because the best people are church people spent less than $100. Rev. Gentry. After his ordination into the ministry, he and Odelia studied at He is currently associate pastor at Providence Baptist Cl Southwestern Theological Seminary in Texas for three years. He Odelia's home church. He works with the Rev. Ronn MeCr: received a 's of degree, and she received a diploma pastor of Providence. in religious education. "They have a good relationship," said Mrs. Gentry. They returned to North Carolina and served at Belhaven Baptist Rev. Gentry visits the sick and shut-ins and fills in whe: in Belhaven for one year. From 1942 to 1948, they served at Momeyer McCracken has to be away from the church. Mrs. Gentry j Baptist in Momeyer, and from 1948 to 1952 they served at very active at the church. Churchland Baptist in Lexington. They then served at Walkertown "I've had an opportunity to work with a lot of wonderful pI Saturday, August 9,1997 B3 hes & Reli Ion•

calls 60 years .in ministry~Y of Winston-Salem, for four years. his longest pastorate, serving at Antioch I hncrr{,ln for 22 years, 1956-79. Under his lead­ rural Baptist church in North Caro-

Gentry baptized 362 people, and conducted weddings. During his tenure there, he also ' the ministry- James Ronald Byrd, Thby his son-in-law. ~~'''~''.7 School teacher, a choir member, and andB.T.U. that church inApril of 1979 and returned

thing to me is -seeing people grow spiritu­ of his life's work, "and in the process, we

leadership, all of the churches they served and/or acquired more property. the help of the Lord," said Rev. Gentry, who in organizing a new church between Fort during his tenure at Antioch. l"a.l1U:::u Antioch Baptist Mission, was organized Antioch Baptist saw the need for a church in Bragg. For 10 years, Rev. Gentry served both three services each Sunday- a morning ser­ norning service at the mission, and a night s~r- dig the foundation for a fellowship hall at the lder his leadership, the mission's sanctuary was ed in 1970. The church became Calvary Baptist 1974. ~s retired in 1979, they continued to serve the :hes. Rev. Gentry has served interim pastorates erson County churches. lUrches, we've been able to meet the best people Ken Martln/C-T lecause the best people are church people," said . Walter and Odelia Gentry will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 24. lssociate pastor at Providence Baptist Church, echo He works with the Rev. Ronn McCracken, :e. d relationship," said Mrs. Gentry. said Mrs. Gentry. "Sharing his life has been very rewarding." ;s the sick and shut-ins and fills in when Rev. The couple was honored during the service at Providence be away from the church. Mrs. Gentry is· also Baptist on Sunday, Aug. 3. They were presented with a plaque in hurch. recognition of their 60th wedding anniversary and 60 years in the rtunity to work with a lot of wonderful peo Ie" ministry. A reception was held in their honor that afternoon. Gentry Couple Given Car by Grateful Antioch Congregation When the Rev. Walter F. Gentry, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Mamers and a mai~ the community for over 22 years, announced his retirement, his con~re~ation decided they wanted to do something special for him. That "something special" came on Sunday, April 22, the Rev. Gentry's 65th birthday: At the close of the regular morning worship services Mr. and Mrs. Gentry were presented the keys to a brand-new, four·door Chevrolet Caprice Classic. the presentation was made on behalf of the church by Curtis Parker. chairman of the Board of Deacons, who also gave the couple a check. In addition to the car, the Gentrys were presented a plaque of appreciation by Harrington Morrison. The Gentry children and their spouses - Walter Lee and Patsy Gentry, Carol and Authur Wall and Frances and Baxley Thomas, unveiled a 20 x 24 pencil and water color portrait of ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH honored Its appreclatlon for the 22 years they served the the Rev. and Mrs. Gentry and retiring pastor and hls wife, the Rev. and Mrs. church and Curtis Parker, chairman of the presented it to the church. The Walter F. Gentry, April 22 after the momlng Board of Deacons, who presented the couple a artist was Ronald Sloan, a services. Seen here wlthMr. and Mrs. Gentry check and the keys to a brand· new Chevrolet member ofthe church. at the rlght are Harrlngton Morrison [left], automobUe. . Following the presentations, a who presented the couple a plaque of· dinner was held in the fellow­ ship hall to honor Rev. Gentry. orchid corsage for Mrs. Gentry success in many ways. {!hurch secretary-treasurer, a Many special guests were on and a red rose boutonniere for A mission was established, music director and a youth and hand including Rev. Gentry's Mr. Gentry were presented by where he preached every education director, ordained mother, his brothers and the church. Sunday for 10 years as well as three ministers and sisters, the three children of Rev. Gentry. who has served as bei,!lg a full-time pastor of commissioned on foreign Rev. and Mrs. Gentry and their a Baptist minister for 39 years, Antioch. The mission is now an missionary. families and Mrs. Gentry's came to Antioch as pastor on estabiished church. During these 22 years the sisters. Over SOO attended the February 22, 1957. His last Antioch also acquired nine church budget was increased worship services and dinner. service was on Sunday, April 29. acres of land where the Fellow­ from $15,000 a year to $90,000. Flowers in the sanctuary were Under the leadership of Rev. ship Hall was built, established ~ Rev . Gentrv has baoti e {lrovided by the Adult Choir and Gentry, Antioch experienced a Day Care Center, employed a ~arried 118 and conducted 2 pastor school Liiii~gton: H-arnett CounlY Ne funerals while pastor at incolnton: Lincoln Times-News Antioch. In 1( Littleton Observer Louisburg: Franklin Times He is a graduate of Wake Churcl Madison Messenger Forest College and the to set"1 Maiden News Manteo: Coastland Times Southwestern Seminary. went Marion: McDowell News Marshall: News-Record Following graduation from the near¥ Marshville Home seminary, he went to Belhaven Mrs in 1940 for his first pastorate. imporl tM'( 10 1979 From 1941-1948 he served two minist churches in Nash County - the Ac. Momeyer and Philadelphia. The class, family lived in Momeyer and Adult drove the 16 miles to Missi< philadelphia. He served as a five­ appreciation for the 22 years they served the church and Curtis Parker, chairman of tbe Board of D'eacons, who presented the couple a check and the keys to a brand-new Cbevrolet automobUe_ ' success in many ways. church secretary-treasurer, a A mission was established, music director and a youth and where he preached every education director, ordained Sunday for 10 years as well as three ministers and bei!lg a fu ll-time pastor of commissioned on foreign Antioch. The mission is now an missionary . estabiished church. During these 22 years the Antioch also acquired nine church budget was increased acres of land where the Fellow­ from 515,000 a year to 590,000. ship Hall was built, established Rev. Gentrv ha<; blloti ,~ , '_ a Day Care Center, employed a married 118 and <»nducted 2~pastor and also principal of the funerals while pastor at school during this time. Antioch. In 1948 ~ev. Gentry went to He is a graduate of Wake Churchland in Davidson County Forest College and the . to serve as pastor. In 1952 he Southwestern Seminary. went to Walkertown Church Following graduation from the near Winston Salem. b seminary, he went to Belhaven Mrs. Gentry also played an ..~~. ~o~e; in 1940 for his first pastorate. important role in the family's )VM' ,\~'bo'$'~~ 1't:P~' '0'1 From 1941-1948 he served two ministry at Antioch. She taught cti.y.~ "e'O' ~o1> r.,eb .~~ ~e \~ ~\~ ~b" churches in Nash County - the Adult Sunday School O· o~e ~'1 ~~ Momeyer and Philadelphia. The class, was very active in e ~e'bo ~~ ·family lived in Momeyer and Adult Choir and in the Woma... '---.....ef\ ~e drove the 16 miles to Missionary Union. She served AntioO~~. Philadelphia. He served as a five-year term as Associational COUln",," REV. W.F. GENTRY

Rev. Gentry I Revival Speaker At M ill Creek Mill Creek Baptist Church, located at Rt. 2~boro, wlll begin revival services Sunday, April 18; the services will con­ tinue through Friday, AprU 23. Rev. Clyde McLain, pastor of the church, said that Rev. W.F. Gentry a native 01. Person COUn y, will be the guest evan­ gelist.

Rev. Gentry grew up in the Mill Creek community and church and was educated at Wake Forest University and Southwestern Seminary in Tex!lS. He is presently pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church of Mamers, N.C., where he has served for 14 years. Antioch is the second largest rural church in the Southern Baptist Association. Rev. McLain also said that special music will be presented nightly and issued an open invi­ tation to the public to attend the s,rvices. Ro cki~am: Sandhilrlnaependent Roxboro: Courier-Times ...Ret'd£OldCbll. )luLl f rd Go. News Scotland Ne ck Commonwealth Selma: Johnstonian-Sun Shallotte: Brunswick Beacon Shelby: Cleveland Times Siler City: Chatham News Smithfield Herald Snow Hill: Greene Co. Ledger Southern Pines Pilat :-7fPifts "1~71

~