Mary Evelyn Gentry

Mary Evelyn Gentry passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on June 7, 2024, at the age of 85. She was born February 20, 1939, in Dothan, Alabama to Alton and Mary Beasley, who predeceased her. She was also predeceased by her husband, George Marshall Gentry and her brother, Alton “Buddy” Beasley. In the words of her granddaughter, Lauren, “she loved the beach, flowers, art and my grandpa…and now they are together again.” Evelyn grew up in Jacksonville Beach, Florida and graduated from Duncan U. Fletcher High School. She majored in home economics at Florida State University, where she met and became engaged to the love of her life, Marshall Gentry of Pensacola, Florida, they enjoyed 62 years of marriage. Evelyn and Marshall were loyal, lifelong FSU football fans. A gifted artist, Evelyn enjoyed painting, especially porcelain dolls and china. When the popular restaurant Faiver’s operated in Tallahassee many years ago, the owners commissioned Evelyn to hand paint the restaurant’s dinnerware. Evelyn also loved flowers, plants and gardening, often sharing roses grown in her back yard with neighbors. She was a 60-year member of the Tallahassee Garden Club-Orange Blossom circle and served in several Garden Club offices throughout the years. Evelyn taught early elementary school and middle school, ultimately retiring as a science teacher at Griffin Middle School. After retirement, she and Marshall spent much of their time at their beloved beach house at Indian Pass. Evelyn enjoyed collecting shells from all over the world. Traveling for work and also for pleasure, Evelyn and Marshall enjoyed visiting Europe, all 50 states, Mexico, Canada and beyond, instilling the love of travel in their children. Like Marshall, Evelyn was an excellent cook and a true foodie. She baked elaborate sugar cookies themed for every holiday, complete with coordinating homemade icing, and welcomed any neighborhood children who wanted to help bake or decorate. She was happy to sit for hours while they made a mess with dough, sprinkles and silver balls, enjoying every minute of cookie making. Evelyn is survived by her son Jeff Gentry (Julie) and daughter Julie Gentry Townsend (Glenn); her three grandchildren, Lauren Gentry, Melissa Gentry and Ryan Crawford (Felicia); her great-granddaughter, Luna Rae Crawford; and her sister Elizabeth “Libby” Scott as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 14, 2024, followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. at Bevis Funeral Home, 200 John Knox Road. A private graveside service will be held at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Big Bend Hospice (bigbendhospice.org) or the Tallahassee Garden Club Orange Blossom circle (tallahasseegardenclub.com). Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Gentry family with their arrangements.

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Mary Evelyn Gentry

February 20, 1939 - June 7, 2024