LILLIE BEATRICE GENTRY
Apr. 23, 1941 - Nov. 16, 2018
Lillie Beatrice Gentry walked through the pearly gates of heaven and touched the hand of God on November 16, 2018, at the age of 77. She was born on April 23, 1941, to Mose and Altoner Bell in Scotts, Mississippi.
She accepted Jesus Christ into her life at a young age and was well versed in scripture. She enjoyed the Lord so much she shared her knowledge and testified of his goodness by teaching Sunday school to the children.
Lillie was the eighth of ten children that were raised in Lamont, Mississippi until the age of nine. In 1950, the family moved to Brawley, California where she attended Hidalgo Elementary, Barbara Worth Junior High and Brawley High School.
Shortly after high school, Lillie married George W. Bell Sr. and from that union, she gave birth to George Jr., who was the joy of her life. Although they departed ways no matter how hard the obstacles, she continued to focus on her son and career.
As she continued raising her son and pursuing her career, she met Sam Gentry, they fell in love and were married in 1970. Through this union, she gained an additional two sons, Samuel Gentry (Butch) and Lionel Johnson. Sam was the love of her life and their marriage lasted for forty years.
After high school Lillie went to work at the Imperial Manor Convalescent home as a certified nursing assistant for several years, and was inspired to continue her education to become a licensed vocational nurse. Lillie enrolled in the Imperial Valley Community College nursing program and was in one of the first graduating classes of the nursing program.
Upon obtaining her license, she began working at the El Centro Regional Medical Center in the Endoscopy Department where she was trained in the use of newly developed medical equipment. Lillie retired from El Centro Regional after twenty-five years of service.
She remained retired for a short period time until her cohorts and doctors talked her back and into their office at the Valley Endoscopy; she gave them a good fourteen years of service.
Lillie was an excellent cook. Some of her favorite recipes were cornbread stuffing, potatoes salad, caramel and lemon cakes among many other family favorites. She loved shopping from the television network channels, decorating and kept an immaculate home. Her favorite foods were tacos and enchiladas made by her niece, Tonie Johnson.
Lillie loved her family and enjoyed helping other people. Every month, she not only donated to several charitable causes, but she also dedicated serving anyone in need.. never hesitating to give a helping hand. She had a heart of gold.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Mose, Sr. and Altoner Bell; husband Sam Gentry; sisters, Elmarie Johnson, Myrtle Franklin, Rose Marie Thompson; brothers, Mose Bell, Jr. Norman Bell Sr.; son, Samuel Gentry (Butch) and grandson, Daniel Johnson.
She is survived by her sons, George (Narmaya) Bell Jr., of Imperial, CA and Lionel (Zana) Johnson of Portland, OR; sisters, Gertrude Bradshaw of New York, NY, Ruby Buie of Imperial, CA and Hugerstine (William, Sr.) Fortune of Brawley, CA. brother, Charles Bell of El Centro, CA; grandchildren, Aisha (Lamontico) Melvin, NC, George W. Bell III, NC, Frankie (Kelley) Woodard, AZ, Greco (Brenda) Tucker, CA, Hosea Johnson, OR and Zanette Johnson, CA; numerous great-grandchildren.
Lillie was deeply loved by her family and will be missed more than words can express. She has friends from near and far that found her kindness and love truly genuine, her infectious smile will be sorely missed.
Veiwing will be held on Friday, December 7, 2018 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Hems Brother Mortuary in El Centro, CA. Service will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 9 a.m. located at First Baptist Church, 724 W. Orange Ave. El Centro CA. Interment will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Evergreen Cemetery 201 E. Gillet Road, El Centro, CA 92243.