Ollie Jewell Gentry, 91, of Powderly, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Stillhouse Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center.
Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4th at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Rev. Wade White officiating. Burial will follow in Long Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Mrs. Gentry, the daughter of Ray Martin & Elizabeth Powers Martin, was born March 12, 1933, in Newellton, LA.
She graduated from Central High School and attended Paris Business School. Ollie worked at Hollywood Vasarette, Speas Vinegar, the Cotton Compress, Cattleman’s Livestock Commission, Richard Drake Construction, and she helped manage Double O Boot Corral with her brother, Odis Martin. At the age of 56, she went to work at Kimberly-Clark where she was the oldest person to be hired at that time. Following 16 years of service to the company, she retired at the age of 72.
During the 60’s she was active in the Paris Lanes Bowling Association. She was a member of the Elks Lodge. Ollie loved music, dancing and being around other people making them smile and laugh. She was famous for keeping up the tradition of the Martin family Thanksgiving reunion. Her proudest moment was when she pinned Brandy at her nursing graduation.
Ollie was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, Ray Martin, Jr., Odis Martin, Mary Tucker, Betty Sherrer, and Rayda Conte.
Survivors include two daughters, Relan “Butch” Walker of Paris and Angela “Rusty” Walker-Cornell (Paul) of Granbury, a granddaughter, Brandy Parsley (Kirk) of Spicewood, two great grandchildren, Reed Preston and Walker Preston both of Paris, and a brother, Billy Troy Martin along with many nieces & nephews and a plethora of friends.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
