Lillie Gentry

77, El Centro

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.