Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / Nov. 5, 2003, edition 1 / Page 5
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Mayor dies November 5,2003 THE NEWS-JOURNAL Kaeford, N.C. 5A (Continued from page I A) ilinner. Gentry seemed to be in jovial spirits and feeling fine. "1 le ordered a very rare tenderloin steak and joked with the server about what he meant by rare,” Leach said. "When the meal came, he took a bite and began to cough into his napkin. We asked if he was okay and he nodded yes. ■ T hirty seconds later, I recognized something was not right as his head slightly slumped forward. Hewasstill sitting when he died. We placed him onto the tloor." In an urgent rescue attempt, Leach mistakenly thought at first the mayor had choked. He immediately pro ceeded to perform a maneuver to dis lodge any substance. When Leach wrapped his arms around Gentry, he said, he could not feel a heartbeat. Leach realized that Gentry had appar ently suffered a heart attack. Simulta neously, restaurant staff located a car diologist dining in the restaurant who came to help while medical techni cians and an ambulance were rushing to the emergency call. A server and Jackson performed CPR under the supervision of the cardiologist, but Mr. Gentry could not be revived. "T here was no pulse,” Leach said. T-\cry thing possible was done tosave him. Hy that time, we knew that he had passed. It occurred between 8:45 to 8:50 p.m ," he said. "I remained calm, but I was shak ing. I called Mrs. Gentry from the lestaurant and told her to meet us at the hospital because Bob had some medical trouble. At the hospital, I linall.y brokedowncrying. Itwas over whelming." Leach thanked the support of people at Beefeaters for coordinating rescue efforts, saying the owners re- luscd to allow his group to pay for their meals after the tragedy. Mr. And Mrs. Gentry celebrated their 5()th wedding anniversary in June. "I remembered when he left home that morning that I told him to have a good time," she said. "Me hollered that he loved me, and I told him I loved him.Those wereour last words. "I am truly grateful Bob died do ing something he enjoyed and did not suffer or have to linger on. He would not have wanted that." She said he had just received a flu shot and had a cold last Thursday morning. She said she was somewhat worried because her husband did not feel well. She commended his friends for trying to save him. Honoring the mayor’s life of ser vice to his fellow man, the Rev. Michael Elliott spoke to an overflow ing group of mourners at his funeral held on Saturday at Raeford United Methodist Church During the service, Elliott said Gentry had "taken the tears of the whole town.” He described Gentry ;is a man of energy and drive. "He lived well and fully and had a great love forhiscommunity, family, nation and church," Elliott said in tribute. Gentry was also honored by re marks of Congressman Robin I layes, a close friend of the mayor's. Among his pallbearers were Raeford city councilmen Eddie McNeill, mayor pro tempore; Earl McDuffie; John Jordan; Wayne Mills; and James Mcl,eod. Gentry served as a city council man from 1977- IWI). 1 le w as a stick ler for not only starting the city coun cil meetings on time, he preferred to begin the sessions early. One of his greatest challenges was the recent battle waged to prevent 21,000 acres of Hoke land from being placed in a one-mile buffer around Fort Bragg. I le was working on an alternate joint land use plan with the I loke Preser\ a- tion Committee when he died. After an "absolutely close " rela tionship that encompassed .50 years, Raeford City Manager Mike McNeill .said he was stunned by Mr. (lentry's death. "Bob was a super guy, and he was well likedbyeveryone, " McNeill said. "I think there will be a tremendous vacuum with him gone. I do not know if it will ever be filled. “He broke the mold. He was al ways upbeat, and wherever you trav eled with Bob he knew everybody." McNeill admired Mr. Gentry,say ing he had never know n anybody ex actly like the mayor. "He told you what he thought, and he never beat around the bush," McNeill said. "He was truly a special brand.” Gentry was serving his fourth term on the Lumber River Council of Government’s board of directors and was chairman at the time of his death. In 2002, he was recognized as the LRCOG C'o-Board Member of the Year. Gentry nurtured a close rela tionship with his best friend and col league, L.E. McLaughlin Jr., a I loke commissioner, who died nearly three years ago. He fondly referred to Mcl.aughlin as his "brother. ’ "Even those who did not sec cyc- to-eye with Bob could count on re ceiving a helping hand if they were down on their luck," LR(’OG offi cials said. "Race or social background was really irot important to Bob. "What was important was the kind of person you were. At every st;ite- wide meeting. Bob took the opportu nity to sing the praises of his city, county and regional (LRCOG)coun cil. He constantly sought opportuni ties to improve the conditions of his home community and its citizens." Gentry was a past president of the Ratford I lokeChamberofCommcrcc and on the board of directors of T he Lions (’lub. I le w as also :i member of the N.(’. Joint Regional Forum, an advisory group to the NC Le:iguc of Municipalities and the Association of ('ounty C’ommissioners. 1 le was employed as a supervisor with Burlington Industries for 17 years, transferring constantly around the state until he finally returned to Raeford with Mrs. Gentry. I le scrv cd as the proprietor of Gentry s T'irc and Muffler Center on South Main Street for 25 years, selling the firm in 1998. He was born in I’erson County to the late Melville D. and Mahle Whitt Gentry. A tobacco farmer, his father died in an automobile accident in Wagram when Cientry was a youth. I le attended McLaughlin Llemcntary School, but moved back to Roxboro with his mother, who supported her family after his father's death. After marry ing Eleanor, the mayor returned to Hoke County, where he remained for 40 years. He is survived by Mrs. Gentry; two sons. Gary Gentry of Raleigh and Mark Gentry of Raeford; a daughter, Marsha Robeson of Stafford. Virginia; two sisters. Hazel Niven of Raeford and Almeadc Garrett of Roxboro; and seven grandchildren. Pal Allen Wilson, editor, conlrih- uted to this article. A special tribute to Mayor Gentry is on page IB and another will he published in an up coming issue of The News-Journal. Obituaries FREETURKEY Visit Our Showroom and Register To Win Holiday Blowout on Washers & Dryers It ii Jt Winner FREE I fell, Beth Jackson, Triangle Cabinets. kRight, Louise Scott lot Shannon 1 FREE TURKEY EACH FRIDAY At Triangle Cabinets We Do Home Repail's • Room Additions • Windows • Vinyl Siding • Gutters^ We Are Raeford’s Home Appliance Center" Washers * Dryers - Dishwashers Financing Available - We Accept Visa/Master/Discover Triangle fabinets & Flooring 126 N. Main St. • Raeford (store front parking) 875-8966 Lena M. Eleby Mrs. Lena Mae ITeby, 69, of 1524 McBhaul Road, Shannon, died Tues day, October 28, 2(H)3 in Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville. Funeral servia's were arnducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, November I at the home with Evangelist Maty Brewksoffleiating. Burial was in Eleby Cemetery. Survivors include five daughters. Evangelist Mary Brooks, and Doris McNeill, both of Decatur, Georgia, Other StufL (Continued from page I A) F'estival Christmas parade, and yes, Santa will be there. You children: if Santa doesn’t do right by you, come see The Turkey.❖ 1 celebrated Halloween by going to a Mexican restaurant and then watching a scary football game. (1 loke igh got clobbered by 71 st.) But from what 1 hear, the little triek-or-treaters roaming the streets were as a whole exceptionally courteous this year. That was the consensus from several who handed out candy. Could it be the days of pickups loaded with trick-or- treaters who shave are behind us'.’ A lady from the phone company was in the office the other day and heard all the Halloween talk. She said when she was little, her mother sent her out early to triek-or- Ircat the neighborhood, then made her return and give all the candy to her. This is how she stocked her bowl for other trick-or-treaters. I won't give the lady's name be cause she’s in therapy now.* We all have our heroes I suppose, and because their faults might ob scure the characteristics we admire, they’re usually people we don't know well. But knowing them only through their writing, music or reputation doesn't lessen the sadness when they die. One of mine, Mike Yaconelli, was killed in a wreck last week, just a few days after I’d seen him at a conven tion in Charlotte. I le was a gifted speaker, a writer and the founder of Youth Specialties, anoLitfit that trainsthousandsof youth workers each year. Some have called him a prophet. 1 admired him because he told the truth, particularly because he cut through the mess of church yet man aged to holii on to the gold buried in it And he was passionate about it. When you live in a small town - or just may be when you I i ve, period - it's easy to .settle into routines, and grow dull with age. The object of church and life be comes being comfortable. "Yae ” fought against this. He said we should rejoice when kids ruin the Jones Memorial Carpet - isn’t that what it’s there for?- and he praised folks w'ho were fired for attracting the "wrong kind of person." "1 always thought the w rong kindof person was the right kind of person." he frequently said. He said it’s not about coloring inside the lines; it’s about the joy of coloring. In the last speech I heard him make - a few days before the acci dent - he said he hoped when he was about to die, he would have enough breath left to say, "What a ride. God, what a ride.”* Aline Hence and Darline Eleby, both of Raeford, and Gearline Eleby of Durham; one son, Jimmy Eleby of Raeford; five sisters, Lannie H. Bratcher and Clara Hollingsworth, both of Raeford, and Barbara A. Mon roe, Gloria Hollingsworth and Dor othy L. Godfrey, all of Red Springs; fourbrothers, Robert L. Hollingsworth of Wagram, George Hoi 1 i ngsworth of Red Springs, Lacy Hollingsworth of New York and Roger Hollingsworth of Texas; 20 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Doby Funeral Home of Raeford served the family. James G. McMillan James Green McMillan, 73, of 419 McMillan Avenue, Red Springs, died Wednesday, October 29, 2003 in his home. Mr. McMillan was born on Janu ary 8, 1930 to the late Douglas and Annie Belle Williams McMillan. His ife, Marjorie l^vett McMillan, and a son Douglas McMillan preceded Mr. McMillan in death, lie was a member of the Red Springs Presbyte rian Church, a 32nd Degree Mason with the Red Springs Masonic Lodge #501 and the Sudan Temple in New Bern, Mecca Shrine Club. He was in the National Guard for 11 years and was a member of the Red Springs Fire Department for 30 years. Affiliated with Red Springs Ford Dealership, he was a farmer in Robeson County. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, October 31 in Red Springs Presbyterian church held by the Reverend Michael McGhee. Burial was in Alloway Cemetery with full Masonic Rites. Survivors include two daughters, Jo Anne M. Schell of Lumberton and Janie M. Goudy of Houston, Texas; and four grandchildren, Brandon Schell, Jamie Schell, Dyan Goudy and Hannah Goudy. Memorials may be made to Ma sonic Home of Children, 600 College Drive, Oxford, NC 27565. Grumpier Funeral Home and Cre mation Services Inc. of Red Springs served the family. Marvin Chavis Marvin Chavis, 69, of 360 Chavis Road, Red Springs, died Thursday, October 30,2003 in his home. Funeral services were conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, November 2 in Piney Grove Holiness Church in Raeford held by the Reverends Samuel Henderson, Hedrick Jones and Jimmy Locklear. Burial was in Chavis Fam ily Cemetery in Red Springs. Survivorsincludehiswife, Annie Mae Chavis of the home; two sons, Tony Marv'in Oiavis and Donny Chavis, both of Red Springs; three daughters, (Tara MaeSpauldingofRedSpringsandNicole LtKkIear and Ciystal Chavis, both of Maxton; two brothers, Arvin (Thavis of Maxton and Luther Gerald (Thavisof Red Springs; two sisters, Annie V. Goins and Orene 1 larris, both of Pembroke; and six grandchildren. Grumpier Funeral Home and Cre mation Services Inc. of Red Springs served the family. Columbus Chambers Columbus Chambers, 77, of 424 W. Fifth Avenue, Raeford,diedTues- day, October 28, 2003 in FirstHealth Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. Mr. Chambers was an Army veteran. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 2 in Kingdom 1 lal I of Jehovah s Witnesses on Palmer Avenue in Raeford held by Norman Perry. Burial was in High land Biblical Gardens in Raeford. Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Chambers of the home; one son, Andrew Chambersof New York; four daughters, Mary Ann Shelton, Linda Alston and Audrey Johnson, all of Raeford, and Connie Chambers of New York; one sister, Beatrice Ma son of Laurinburg; nine grandchil dren; and seven great-grandchildren. Buie Funeral Home of Raeford served the family. Donald F. Fix Donald F. Fix, 64, of 1722 Andrews Road, Red Springs, died Friday Octo- ber31,2003 in his home. Mr. Fix was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a former member of the Army Golden Knights. He was a former instructor at the U.S. M i litary Academy and was a pilot and flight instructor for Sun- bird Airways. Funeral services will be amducted at 2p.m. Wednesday, November5 in Mount Elim Baptist Church held by the Rever ends Tony Brewington and Carl Pevia. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Survivors include his wife, (Tatherine Fix of the home; five daugh ters, Debbie Millerof 1 lettinger, North Dakota, Cindy Bertsch of Warner, South Dakota, Helen M. Womack and Selena A. Beatty, both of Red Springs, and Rhonda Lxrcklear of Pembroke; his mother, Elsie VollerofMobridge, South Dakota; four brothers, Michael Fix of Red Springs, Jerry Fix of Lumberton, Bruce Fix of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Kelvin Fix of Iowa, Louisiana; and 16 grandchildren. Boles Funeral Home of Red Springs served the family. Charles E. Bowers Jr. Charles E. Bowers Jr., 73, of Raeford, died Friday, October 21, 2003 in Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville. A memorial service was conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 4 in Highland Funeral Home Service & Crematory in Fayetteville. Survivors include his wife, Agnes Bowers of the home; one son, Charles E. Bowers 111 of Buffalo. Ne\v York; one daughter, Marv Jane Faraguna of Hope Mills; one brother, Frank W. Bovvers of Amherst, Ohio; one sister, Marlene Petrie of Angola, New York; three grandchil dren; and three great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 3801 l,ake Boone T rail. Suite 190. Raleigh, NC 27606. Highland Funeral Service andCrema- lory in Favetteville served the family. Wade Lindsay Jr. Wade Lindsay Jr., 52, of248 Fron tier Drive, Parkton. died Sunday No vember 2,2003 in FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. Funeral services \v ill be conducted at 11a.m. Wednesday. November5 in ReevesFuneral HomeChapel in Hope Mills held by the Reverends Donnie Price Jr. and Celia Lee. Burial will be in Allowav Cemetery in Red Springs. Survivors include his fiancee, Carolyn Byrne; his mother and step father, Mary H. and Albert F. Davisof Fayetteville; his father, Wade Lind say Sr. of L.ake Wells, Florida; one brother, Randall Lindsay of Fayetteville; one sister, Tammy Levanger, of Pooler, Georgia; two stepbrothers, Albert C. Dtivis and Dale Davis, both of Troy; and one stepsis ter, Audra Culbreth of Roseboro. Reeves Funeral Home of Hope Mills served the family. OUR HEARTS IN THE l»/ \ Best in Sho w The blue ribbon panel checked us out from every conceivable angle. The skill of our surgeons. The compassion our staff exhibits. Training...technology...clinical research. And what was the judgement of the independent study* commissioned by Business North Carolina? FirstHealth Moore Regional was awarded first place for being the best hospital in the state for heart care. Why settle for anything less than excellence? FirstHealth OF I HE CAROLINAS BUSINESS NORTH CAROLINA RANKING CAROIDUb^ www.firslhcalth.org For more mfonnation contact your physician or call us at J-800-724-2236
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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