E. Clayton Gentry

Everette “Clayton” Gentry, 55 years old, died on August 11, 2021, at his home in Franklin, Tennessee. A heart attack is what likely lead to his untimely death.

Clayton was born on December 27, 1965, in Jacksonville, Florida. At six months old, he nearly succumbed to spinal meningitis. However, he was a fighter and after many prayers, he recovered, earning the name “Little Superman.” But his recovery was not without lifelong after effects which resulted in a learning disability. Despite the difficulties and challenges from his early illness, he had truly remarkable talents, including an astounding memory for detail.

He graduated from Brentwood High School, in Brentwood, TN in 1985. He had an excellent work ethic and started working as an early teenager. While in high school and for the seven years thereafter, he managed the warehouse for his parents’ southern gospel record label, Skylite-Sing, where he memorized the company’s vast record catalogue. In fact, if Clayton was alive today, he could even tell us on which albums we could find the songs for his funeral, complete with artist name, album title, and catalog number. His love of southern gospel music started at an early age which only continued to grow throughout his lifetime. He loved quartets such as The Blackwood Brothers, The Masters V, and J.D. Sumner and The Stamps. Another favorite gospel artist was Bill Gaither.

In 1992, Clayton began clerking at Kroger in Brentwood, TN, and for the next 28 years he utilized his amazing memory to provide excellent customer service. If Kroger had it, Clayton knew where it was.

Clayton was a godly man and loved to serve the Lord. His church life was a priority and it saddened him when he had to work on Sundays. He did not want to miss a church service. Even if he did, he always remembered to mail in his tithe check.

Clayton proved once again that he was, in fact, Superman when he recovered from sextuple bypass heart surgery in December 2009, following a heart attack. He also beat near-death sepsis from a kidney stone a few years later. Of course, Clayton knew that his healing was all part of God’s plan. After having a pacemaker and defibrillator implanted in 2020, Clayton thought he had become Iron Man too, but with his eyeglasses, he felt that Superman a/k/a Clark Kent was a better fit.

He loved movies and old television shows. He especially loved superheroes. Perhaps he saw himself in these characters who all had weaknesses and flaws, but Clayton rose above those to help others and make the world a better place. He enjoyed watching his favorite movies and television shows over and over, and loved having them at his fingertips. His collection of movies could easily fill a Blockbuster. And his knowledge of Hollywood star trivia was his favorite party trick.

He was a devoted Titans/UT football fan, a lover of animals, and was a bright spot in our lives. While often a loner, Clayton loved to be around people too. His radiant smile lit up the room and his laugh was contagious. He was a happy, kind, and gentle soul who blessed everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Clayton will be missed in countless ways every single day, but none more than on his birthday, which he believed should be a national holiday! We will surely miss our “Superman.”

He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joel and Lillian Gentry. He is survived by his sisters, Beverly Halliday (Howard) and Autumn Gentry; nephew Ryan Kendrick; niece Lindy Brown; four great-nieces, one great-nephew, and countless friends.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from four until seven o'clock in the evening on Friday, August 20, 2021 at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at eleven thirty in the morning on Saturday, August 21, 2021 in Dignity Hall of Woodlawn-Roesch Patton Funeral Home with a Gathering of Family and Friends held one hour prior. Entombment will follow the service in Woodlawn's Cross Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Clayton’s honor to the America Heart Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woodlawn-Roesch-PattonFH.com for the Gentry family.