Susan M. Gentry

Susan was born on July 8, 1946 to John Alger “Al” McCaskill and Esther Marion (Morgan) McCaskill in Tampa, FL. Her father worked for Fire Rescue, and later as the Safety Director for the City of Tampa. He started the ambulance services for the city, and was the vice president of Ambulances Inc. Her mother was a homemaker. After graduating with honors from Hillsborough High School in 1964, Susan attended Florida State University. She graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics Education and was first employed as a teacher at Clermont High School.

In 1968 she met James “Jim” Gentry and they were wed in November of the same year, going on to have three children, Chrissy, Bryan, and David.

Susan spent most of her career as a teacher at Brandon High School (35 years) teaching Family and Consumer Sciences, and served as the Department Head. Throughout the years she taught a variety of courses, such as Food and Nutrition, Child Development, and Child Care (through the Little Eagles’ Learning Nest Program). She also taught Clothing Construction and Life Skills in the Adult Night School for many years.

Susan loved to cook, to sew, and to work in her yard. She loved plants and flowers. She loved to travel, especially to the Smoky Mountains. Most of all, she loved her family dearly and told them so regularly. She also loved the Lord. She was a Christian and raised her family to be Christians. Susan and her husband Jim helped to establish the Valrico church of Christ in 1981, which first met in the Bloomingdale Community Center. She helped to lead her family to Christ; all family members, including grandchildren, are faithful Christians.

After retiring in 2007, Susan enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, including to Alaska (three times). She especially enjoyed a month-long trip to England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. She traveled with her best friend of 66 years, Georgia Anne Hawkins. She also spent much time enjoying her five grandchildren.

Susan was preceded in death by her husband, James Bryan Gentry, father John Alger “Al” McCaskill, mother Esther Marion (Morgan) McCaskill, and brother Edward McCaskill. She is survived by three children Christine “Chrissy” (John), Bryan (Sarah), and David (Caitlin), and five grandchildren, Jonathan, Julianna (William), Jessica, Katie, and Emily.