Elma Jean Gentry, 96, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, peacefully passed away at 9:30 am October 13, 2020 at Nature Trail Health Care in Mount Vernon. Jean worked at the Mount Vernon Shoe Factory and was a volunteer for Crossroads Community Hospital. She was a part of the Logan Street Baptist Church family where she loved to share and teach about Jesus. She taught children’s Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and served with Missions Friends. Jean enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Bethel Memorial Cemetery in Mount Vernon, Illinois with Reverend Gary Davenport officiating. Interment will follow. Memorials may be made in Jean’s honor to Logan Street Baptist Church.Please remember to observe social distancing at this time. Following the CDC and NFDA regulations, we encourage everyone to wear a mask. They will be made available, upon request. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
Jean is survived by her children, Brenda Blue of North Little Rock, Arkansas and Bob Gentry and wife, Phaedra of Mount Vernon, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Rob and wife, Jodi, Ryan and wife, Jessica, Rick and wife, Lacey, Nick and wife, Shanna, Pharrah Bradford, Josh and wife, Moriah, and Case Gentry; twelve great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.In addition to her parents and husband, Jean was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert Hudgens and Virgil Eugene Hudgens and sisters, Lorene Moore and Dorothy Hudgens.
She was born January 9, 1924 in Marion, Illinois to the late Newsome and Lena (Pritchett) Hudgens. Jean married William E. Gentry on October 28, 1944 in Evansville, Indiana and he preceded her in death on November 18, 1978.
