Lila Jo Gentry

Lila “Jo” Gentry

July 13, 1926                November 25, 2017

Lila “Jo” Fisher Gentry, 91 years young, went to be with the Lord, on Saturday, November 25, 2017.  Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Fisher and Elvira Henslee Fisher Smith.  Also preceded in death by her brothers, James (Jimmy) and David Arnaud, and Clyde (Edith) Fisher, and her sister, Charlsa Whalen, and granddaughter, Lauren Basil.

Jo is survived by her son, Larry Gentry, of Ft. Worth, Texas, and her daughters Karen (Jim) Nichols, of San Clemente, California, and Lisa (Dan) Basil, of Plymouth, Minnesota.  Survivors also include her grandchildren, Jenna (Jeff) Ray, Greg (Arianne) Gillen, Jillian (Ryan) Jordan, Buck (Francel) Gentry, Nicholas (Hairong) Basil, and Alexis and Ellie Basil.  Her 14 great-grandchildren include: Bailey, Savanna, Cassidy, Clementine and Jett Ray, Aeverie, Asher and Noah Gillen, Jesse and Jemma Jordan, Landon and Logan Gentry, and Landon and Caleb Solano.

Jo began her teaching career in 1958 after graduating from the California Baptist University in Riverside, California.  She went on to receive her second degree from LaVerne College in 1964.  She taught at Walter Zimmerman Elementary in Bloomington, California, and after relocating to Texas, Jo taught at Everman Elementary in Everman, Texas.  Upon moving to Arkansas, Jo taught at Romine Elementary and Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary schools in the Little Rock School District.  Jo retired after teaching for 26 years, in 1985.  She was a member of the Little Rock Retired Teachers Club.

Of the Protestant faith, Jo began interpreting for the deaf at Hebron Baptist Church in Muscoy, California, and was instrumental in beginning the deaf department at Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Ft. Worth, Texas, where she interpreted the pastor’s sermons each Sunday.  She was a member of the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) for decades.  Jo taught Sunday School, and worked with the young people at Sunset Lane Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.  She was a member of the choir, as well.  She studied the Bible every day and hand wrote scriptures in journals and cards, which she kept all over her home as a constant reminder of their importance.  She led each of her kids to discover how to have an intimate faith in Christ Jesus.

In 1989, Jo relocated back to Ft. Worth, Texas, where she was a member of Christ Church.  She was a member of the Silver Sneakers organization.  After relocating, Jo continued to hone her craft of sewing and made quilts for each of her children and grandchildren. She crotched beautiful afghans, wraps, and dresser scarves.  She also looked forward to having a house-full of people, where she could expertly prepare meals.  She was an amazing cook!  She loved sharing her recipes, which are still used by her kids today.

Jo opened her home to many loved ones and always taught her family to serve others, in love.  She passed away surrounded by her family who enjoyed an afternoon of singing hymns around her bedside.  It was her wish to be buried alongside her granddaughter, Lauren Basil, at Hillside Cemetery, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Private services and interment will occur on Thursday, November 30, 2017.  Services provided by Gearty-Delmore of Robbinsdale, Minnesota.