| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 110.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 27 Jan 2008.
Mary Nelle is at the heart of the Gentrys
(c)2008 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL With Mary Nelle are, at left, granddaughter Gina Gentry of Jonesborough, and daughter, Annette Russell, at right, of Newport. No matter what time of day, Mary Nelle's children are always with her at the homeplace off Musterfield.
By: David Popiel
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
01-27-2008
Have you ever driven to the Dead End of Musterfield Road? After seeing the billboard off Cosby Highway presented to say "Happy Birthday" to Mary Nelle Gentry, who turned 90 on Jan. 10, I wanted to know more about this family. I called Annette Russell, a daughter, who lives off Warford Rd. and had worked for 30 years at Diana's Beauty Shop. She said the idea and enthusiasm for the project came from granddaughter Gina Gentry, of Jonesborough. Gina is an x-ray technician in Bristol. She saw the Baptist Hospital of Cocke County billboard off North Street and contacted Lamar Signs. Because it's hard to find a gift for someone who has seen 90 birthdays, the big sign was unique. You know many of the Gentry family members. The Gentrys, Clyde and Mary Nelle, who married Sept. 2, 1933, moved into a small frame house formerly owned by the Fowlers. That was about 64 years ago. At the time there were 7 children and ultimately 13. The deceased are Charles, Jackie, and Cheryl. You probably know at least one and maybe more of the surviving children who include George Herbert, Herman, Ronnie, Norman, Maurice, Wayne, and Roger; The girls being Annette, Barbara "Peachy" Parker, and Joyce Gentry. I see her quite a bit where she works at Campbell & Hooper, attorneys. "We had a enough for a baseball team," Annette joked, although the boys preferred to play football. Clyde came from a family of five boys, being Stafford, Till, Dorsey, Jack, and Dewey.
Clyde was a farmer and known by many as a helper with George Miller Jr., who started Miller Auction Gallery. The family still retains the 64-acre farm next to neighbor, attorney Tim Moore. Never alone, Mary Nelle's family neighbors are Roger, Norman and Eva Dean, Ronnie and Janice, and nephew, Matthew Gentry.
Annette's daughter, Heidi and husband, Dennis Freshour, live at the end of the uphill road. It shows how closely knit the family is. Some do live far away, such as Gina's parents, Wayne and Janine. George Herbert lives in Gainesville. I discovered that Gina had lived in Miami, my hometown. Her parents are in Pembrooke Pines, an adjacent town where Wayne has been a locksmith. The family is happy to learn he retires next year and will return home.
Such a large family benefited by their farm life. Annette, who is married to James Russell, said they raised tobacco, corn, and tomatoes and most livestock along with chickens. Mary Nelle always worked hard and as a teenager helped on seasonal crops at Stokely Brothers. That was in the mid 1930s, and she recalled walking to where a ferry boat carried workers to the plant across the Pigeon River. Her parents were Titus and Lydia Smith, who raised the children at Tannery Row and Irish Cut. Clyde's parents were C.L. and Phoeba Gentry, from Old Town along the French Broad River. At Musterfield the family thrived and Clyde built a store sometime in the 1940s at Warford Road junction. A Ms. Rolen helped at the store, later sold to Bobby Shelton. The white block building still stands. Mary Nelle learned an important skill at the store, and it wasn't stocking shelves. Rolen taught her to crochet. Her home is now filled with her handiwork, and maybe a hundred dolls with outfits she crocheted. Gina said that every grandchild that got married received a bride and bridegroom doll set with crocheted outfit in the wedding party's colors.
Unfortunately for the family, Clyde was only 54 when he died of cancer in 1963. Mary Nelle worked even harder and became a cook at the new Holiday Restaurant in Newport. Later she joined Jack Hawkins and Hollis Mason at the new Jack's Restaurant across West Broadway from what is now the Title Max. When Emerson opened its plant in the 1960s, she was hired and became and inspector until she retired in 1984. She then devoted her time to something that really put joy in the family and friend's hearts. Every month, it was a new decorating theme. For January, the house was fitted with snowmen and winter art. February of course was for Valentines. Every month was a different colorful theme with many decorations she did down to doorknob covers. Sitting in her livingroom, you are surrounded by her wonderful handiwork. I noticed the framed military photos of six sons on a flag background. She posed for a photograph with a few of her outfitted dolls, a rare rose among flowers. The family says of her that she always did the right thing, especially to tell the truth. Her philosophy has been, "Love, not money, is the most important thing." She is comfortable and obviously well-cared for by her children at the homeplace, a flag fluttering in the cold wind Thursday. When I left in the chilly air, my warm thoughts were of spring and returning soon to Mary Nelle's and meeting more of her grand family at the end of Musterfield, the end of the rainbow.
In plain talk, though signs may warn you to turn around because of the "Dead End" a trip to that end can be rewarding. P.S. Last week we chatted with Gwen Costner and Diana Butler and here are some things I forgot to mention. The red dress Diana was wearing was a Christmas present. She and Gwen have been best friends for 30 years and do not compete because their horse breeds are so different. Diana likened it to comparing a Corvette to a Cadillac, with her Arabian, "Sam," being built for speed and covering terrain, Gwen's Paso Fino, Crucerio, being the smooth comfortable one. Both of their husbands are supportive of their endeavors. Diana's husband, Newport Fire Chief Wayne Butler, encourages her interest in costume riding, and for Gwen and Steve Costner, their together time is sharing a mutual interest in horses and riding. Diana retired from Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice. Gwen's mother is the former Zula Bryant whose parents were Ralph and Etta, of Bogard.
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 24 Dec 2010.
(January 10, 1918 - December 24, 2010)
Mary Nelle Gentry, age 92, of Newport, passed away, Friday, December 24, 2010 at her home. She loved decorating for all seasons, crocheting and making afghans. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde David Gentry; sons, Charles David and Jackie Gentry; daughter, Cheryl Gentry; daughters-in-law, Beverly and Phyllis Gentry; granddaughter, Ellen Gentry; and parents, Titus and Lydia Smith. She is survived by her children, George Herbert Gentry of Sarasota, FL, Herman Gentry and wife Alice of Parrottsville Ronnie Gentry and wife Janice of Newport, Norman Gentry and wife Eva Dean of Newport, Maurice Gentry and wife Carolyn of Newport, Wayne Gentry and wife Janine, of Florida, Roger S. Gentry of Newport; Barbara ( Peachie ) Parker and husband John David of Parrottsville, Annette Russell and husband James of Newport and Joyce Gentry, of Newport; twenty six grandchildren; thirty eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; also other family and friends. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Monday, December 27, 2010 in Manes Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Dale Maloy officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Sunday, December 26, 2010 at Manes Funeral Home.
Family and friends may sign the guest register on line at: www.manesfuneralhome.com. Manes Funeral Home in charge.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Name: Lydia Clark
Also Known As Name:
Name Suffix:
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 21 Dec 1905
Event Place: Campbell, Tennessee, United States
Gender: Female
Spouse's Name: Titus Smith
Spouse's Also Known As Name:
Spouse's Name Prefix:
Spouse's Name Suffix:
Page: 256
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