Lillian A. Gentry

died peacefully on August 21, 2018, surrounded by her family and friends.

Lillian, who was the youngest of seven children, was born on April 7, 1934, in Powers Lake, North Dakota, to her father, Alfred Anderson, a farmer who

immigrated from Sweden, and her mother, Hulda Haughlie Anderson, whose

parents immigrated from Norway.

In 1945, Lillian’s family moved to Dade City, Florida. In high school, she

began working at Coleman & Ferguson Funeral Home (along with her sister,

Ardelle, and her brother, Duane, who later bought the company) where she

learned to drive an ambulance in her late teens (and which later earned her

the name “Leadfoot Lill”).

After high school, she graduated from Central Bible Institute (CBI) in Springfield,

Missouri, where she earned a degree in bookkeeping. Thereafter, she moved to

Jacksonville, Florida, where she worked as a church bookkeeper and also played the organ. Being musically inclined, Lillian could also play the piano, accordion, and guitar.

It was at this church where she met the love of her life and future husband, Joel Gentry,

who at the time was a radio DJ for a Jacksonville radio station. After marrying Joel

on August 27, 1961, the two moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where Lillian continued working as a bookkeeper, and Joel worked as a salesman for a southern gospel record company.

In approximately 1966, Joel and Lillian formed the southern gospel recording company,

Skylite-Sing, where Joel served as the record producer and President/CEO and Lillian

served as the bookkeeper and Secretary/Treasurer. In 1967, they moved the business to

Nashville and opened an office on historic Music Row.

During the 1960s through the 1990s, Skylite-Sing was one of the preeminent southern

gospel recording companies in the country, having released albums by the Oak Ridge Boys,

the Blackwood Brothers, J.D. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet, The Imperials, The Masters V,

Florida Boys, Kingsmen, Rebels, Blue Ridge Quartet, Swanee River Boys, The Smitty Gatlin Trio,

and many other major groups and soloists. The company received numerous industry awards

and accolades, the highlight of which was winning three Grammy awards. Joel and Lillian even

visited the White House on two occasions after President Jimmy Carter, who was a southern gospel music fan, added two of their albums to the White House Record Library.

Lillian continued working at Skylite-Sing for over thirty years until Joel, her husband

of 39 years, passed away in December 2000. Rather than succumbing to grief, however,

Lillian remained strong, steadfast, and resilient, knowing she would see him again.

Although she was 66 years old, Lillian was not ready to retire either. She started a new

chapter of her life, working as a receptionist for a Brentwood insurance company. Often saying

that if she quit, she would get old, she continued working there full time until she retired at the

age of 81.

Even though her health declined in her remaining few years, Lillian remained cheerful and

optimistic. And whenever she appeared in public, even if just for a doctor’s appointment, she

was flawlessly dressed and fully accessorized. She spent most of her days reading the Bible, corresponding by mail with friends and family, solving word search puzzles, and filling up

countless steno pads just noting her daily activities. Although she had an excellent memory,

Lillian meticulously recorded every birthday, anniversary, death, or other life event (which she

would transfer to the next year’s calendar by hand), just so she could be sure and forward

someone a thoughtful card to brighten their day.

Lillian is best remembered for her graceful, kind, and gentle spirit. Throughout her life,

Lillian was a devoted and tireless wife, mother, step-mother, step-grandmother, daughter,

and friend, but even more so, she was a faithful servant of God whose spent her life serving

Him and all those all around her.

Although her absence has left a hole in our lives, she would not want us to be down or sad.

Instead, she would have us rejoice, for she is now in the loving arms of Jesus, and is reunited

with her husband, friends, and family. We will be so happy when we one day see her again.

Lillian is survived by her son, Clayton Gentry of Brentwood; daughter, Autumn Gentry,

of Franklin; step-daughter, Beverly Halliday (Howard) of Rock Springs, GA; two

step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lillian’s honor to GraceLand

Community Church, 1667 Lewisburg Pike U.S. 431, Franklin, TN 37064.