Rev. J. B. Gentry was born in Bedford county, Tenn., August 2, 1864, and died at Pilot Point, Texas, July 14, 1893.

Physically Brother Gentry was a giant. His health had always been remarkably good. Very early in life he showed himself to be gifted with a talent for public speaking. He often gathered the little children under a tree near the old home and delivered an address to them, which usually took the form of a little sermon. He always said something that aroused the emotions of the little audience. It was understood from his early life that he would make a preacher. He inherited his inclination to be a public speaker. He was converted at the age of eleven and began to preach at about seventeen. His religious nature was largely developed. Soon after his beginning in the ministry he attended school at Unionville, Tenn., then at Eagleville, Tenn. Later he went to Lebanon, Tenn., where he took the theological course. Before his course in the seminary he did good preaching and made many friends. It was by his own efforts that he secured the means of an education. After his course at Lebanon he took charge of the church at Van Buren, Ark., and at the end of two years went to Pilot Point, Texas, where he died soon afterward. He was an earnest and successful preacher, a strong and warm friend, a loving and provident husband, a zealous worker for the church, and a man of remarkable energy and perseverance. His life was short but full of labors for the Master. Had Brother Gentry lived he doubtless would have done much good work for the church. His being cut off so early was a great disappointment to him, yet he said it was all well. He bowed quietly to death. Death cannot come either too soon or too late for a good Christian. The Christian is always ready to go home to heaven. Many friends and relatives were grieved to give Brother Gentry up and see him no more in the flesh, yet we rejoice that we can remember him in the past and hope to meet him again. To his friends and loved ones allow me to say, Walk straight along in the heavenly path till you come to his resting place, and then it will all be over. Await the day of peace and rest.

Nashville, Tenn.

Rev. J. B. Gentry was born August 2, 1864, near Rover, Tenn. He was a son of M. P. and Mizie Gentry. Upon his arrival in his new field of labor at Pilot Point, Texas, he was taken with typhoid fever, complicated with heart disease, from which he never got relief until God took him away, on July 14. He was able to preach but once in his new field and then only by summoning all his strength.

Brother Gentry spent his early days with his parents, who were not able to give him an education, owing to the fact that they had a large family to support. He was converted and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church near his home, and was an efficient member; but feeling it his duty to preach, he joined Elk Presbytery and set about getting an education. He got means by labor in the field, afterwards by school-teaching and preaching. He was ordained by Elk Presbytery at the fall meeting, 1887. He was married to Miss Mamie Cramer, who was a faithful wife. They had one child, a son.

Brother Gentry did efficient work in Elk Presbytery until he moved to Van Buren, Ark., whither he went upon leaving the seminary where graduated, 1891. While at school he was an earnest student, and made rapid progress. His labors at Van Buren were very successful, the two years he staid there. Sixty-seven members were added tot he church and a debt of seven hundred dollars was removed, and the church established a good Christian Endeavor society and prayer meeting. The poor of the place considered him their friend, and the rich loved him. The sad leave of this people was only taken to take work in a more needy field. He studied hard and worked much among his people. He was devout and full of the Holy Ghost. As a preacher he was a forcible speaker, and he had a power of his own. Why he was taken in the meridian of life we are prone to ask, but must say, Thy will be done, when we know the one who did it.

He met death calmly and seemed full of peace, having arranged all his secular affairs at death's approach. His father, mother, wife, child, the brother, and brother-in-law were with him in his last illness. He leaves besides the above other brothers and sisters, and a host of friends to mourn their loss, with the church to which he belonged. He was buried by the Masonic Order to which he belonged, near Eaglesville, Tenn.

Long View, Tenn.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, September 7, 1893, page 127]

1882
Gentry, J. B., Rover, Tenn.
Candidate - Elk Presbytery - Columbia Synod
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1882, page 113]

1883
Gentry, J. B., Rover, Tenn.
Candidate - Elk Presbytery - Columbia Synod
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1883, page 122]

1884
Gentry, J. B., Rover, Tenn.
Licentiate - Elk Presbytery - Columbia Synod
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1884, page 111]

1885
Gentry, J. B., Rover, Tenn.
Licentiate - Elk Presbytery - Columbia Synod
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1885, page 126]

1886
Gentry, J. B., Rockvale, Tenn.
Licentiate - Elk Presbytery - Columbia Synod
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1886, page 155]

1887
Gentry, J. B., Eagleville, Tenn.
Licentiate - Elk Presbytery - Columbia Synod
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1887, page 152]

1888
Gentry, J. B., Eagleville, Tenn.
Minister - Elk Presbytery - Columbia Synod
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1888, page 164]

1889
Gentry, J. B., Eagleville, Tenn.
Minister - Elk Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1889, page 173]

1890
Gentry, J. B., Lebanon, Tenn.
Minister - Elk Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
Pastor - Christiana Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Christiana, Tenn.
Pastor - New Unity Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Petersburg, Tenn.
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1890, pages 119 & 218]

1891
Gentry, J. B., Lebanon, Tenn.
Minister - Elk Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
Pastor - Christiana Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Christiana, Tenn.
Pastor - New Lebanon Cumberland Presbyterian Church, session clerk lived in Kelso, Tenn.
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1891, pages 134 & 236]

1892
Gentry, J. B., Van Buren, Ark.
Minister - Arkansas Presbytery - Arkansas Synod
Pastor - Van Buren Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Van Buren, Ark.
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1892, pages 137 & 178]

1893
Gentry, J. B., Van Buren, Ark.
Minister - Arkansas Presbytery - Arkansas Synod
Pastor - Van Buren Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Van Buren, Ark.
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1893, pages 139 & 180]

1894
MORTUARY
GONE BEFORE
MINISTERS

J. B. Gentry
Arkansas Presbytery
July 19, 1893
[Source: General Assembly Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1894]