Carl Smith Gentry, Sr.

Carl Smith Gentry, Sr., 87, died peacefully in his sleep with his wife by his side at the Haven Hospice Center on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle.

Services followed by a graveside burial will be on Sunday, September 3, 2023 at Centre Presbyterian Church in Maxton, NC at 2:00 pm officiated by Pastor Scott Miller. A visitation with the family will be in the assembly building at Centre Church after the services.

Carl was born on August 2, 1936 in Sneads Grove, to the late Roger Solomon Gentry and Isabell (Smith) Gentry. He was the first of their four children, the late Martha “Jan” (Gentry) McRacken, Elaine (Gentry) Medlin, and the late Roger Solomon Gentry, Jr. He spent 61 extraordinary years together with his wife, Ava, having two children, his late son, Carl Jr. and daughter, Amy.

He attended Maxton High School, graduating in1954. He went on to graduate from North Carolina State University in Agribusiness Management in 1958 and a fraternity brother of the FarmHouse Fraternity. His agriculture loan and financial career took him to branches in Laurinburg, NC, Lumberton, NC and Florence, SC with Farm Credit Associations until retirement.

He was an avid fisherman, gardening enthusiast, and devoted NCSU Wolfpack fan. He rarely missed an opportunity to attend a family gathering and looked forward to his family’s pig picking each year. After retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his four grandchildren and traveling with his wife.

He is survived by his wife, Ava (Altman) Gentry; daughter, Amy (Gentry) Somers and her husband, JK Somers and grandson, Evan Greene; daughter-in-law, Maria Gentry and granddaughters, Marisa Gentry, Lucy Gentry, and Carleigh Gentry (children of Carl Gentry Jr.); sister, Elaine Medlin; aunt, Peggy Edenton; and many nephews and nieces, and cousins. He also leaves behind his faithful dog, Bella (10), who rarely left his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and Isabell Gentry, his sister, Jan McRacken, brother, Rog Gentry, Jr, and son, Carl Gentry, Jr.

Carl will be missed by many. Those who would like to honor his memory with a contribution can be mailed to Centre Presbyterian Church, 224 Oxendine School Road, Maxton, NC 28364.

Bumgarner Family Funeral Service and Crematorium is assisting the family.

Online condolences can be made at www.bumgarnerfunerals.com.

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