Brenda Lou (McCarty) Gentry, 62, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

Born February 19, 1955 in LaPlata, Missouri, Brenda was the daughter of the late Francis Neal and Mildred Lucille (Rogers) McCarty. On December 9, 1978 in Kirksville, Missouri, Brenda was united in marriage to Ted Gentry and to this union two children were born.

Brenda is survived by one son Blake Joseph Gentry of Cupertino, CA; one daughter, Whitney Gentry of Kirksville, MO; three brothers, Randy Perkins of Moberly, MO, Brian (Patty) McCarty and Les (Jane Hayden) McCarty; three sisters, Linda Kay Bostwick of CA, Jeannine McCarty and Ronda Lewis; two step brothers, Chuck Boren of Gallatin, MO and Pat Boren of LaPlata, MO; one grandchild, Jacob Joseph Winslow, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Nichole Suzanne Acton; two brothers, Bruce and Dennis McCarty; one sister, Bonita McCarty, and one step brother, Mike Boren.

Brenda was a graduate from Kirksville High School. For a number of years, Brenda owned and operated the Blossom Shop in Kirksville. Prior to owning the Blossom Shop, Brenda was employed for Standard Register. She was later employed for Slaughter Printing, Kirksville Daily Express, and Northeast Missouri Health Council.

Brenda enjoyed crafting, bowling, gardening and refinishing furniture.

Brenda was a peacekeeper, a loving mother, an amazing grandmother who adored her grandson Jacob Winslow, two beautiful children, and her brothers and sisters. She was compassionate and kind to all who knew her. She also deeply adored her little yorkie, Sadie.

Public visitation will be held Sunday, July 16, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 17, 2017 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Virgil Jones officiating. Interment will follow the service at LaPlata Cemetery in LaPlata, MO.

Pallbearers will be Brock McCarty, Chase McCarty, Payden McCarty, Ryan McCarty, Travis Lewis and Levi Hillard.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Brenda Gentry may be made to the Jacob Winslow College Fund. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.