Betty Ann (Gentry) White, age 84, passed away on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, at Presbyterian Manor in Wichita, Kan., where she had recently resided.
Betty was born on Feb. 15, 1940, to Earl and Amelia Gentry in Bucyrus, Mo. She was born on the family farm in a three-room house and was a surprise twin with her brother Bob. Betty attended White Rock and Houston, Mo., schools and graduated from Joplin High School in 1958.
Betty married Paul White in Houston, Mo., on Nov. 27, 1957, and shortly thereafter made their home in Joplin, Mo. In 1960 they moved to Coffeyville, Kan., where Betty was a homemaker and managed an apartment building. She later worked for many years in the family shoe business with Paul. Betty was a guiding light for her children, Brenda and Duane Powell of Wichita, Sonya and James Cantrell of Coffeyville and Michael and Renee White of Holts Summit, Mo.
She is survived by her brothers Bob and Gene Gentry of Houston, Mo., seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Betty had numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Paul, parents Earl and Amelia Gentry, a brother, Dean Gentry and one sister, Bonnie Gentry.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Coffeyville where she was known as the “Cookie Lady” for her fantastic chocolate chip cookies. Betty also volunteered for many years with the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. Betty was always supporting her children’s activities in church, Camp Fire Girls and 4-H. She met everyone with a smile and a kind word whether it was at church, the shoe store or school activities. Betty was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over 35 years ago and she was an inspiration to others in the way she lived her life while dealing with the health issues of MS. She never complained and always tried to be her best even when MS gave her challenges.
Funeral services are 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, Coffeyville. Friends may call to pay their respects from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave. in Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center Auxiliary or the ALS Association, http://web.alsa.org/goto/Betty_White_Memorial or contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed to Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel. To leave an online message of condolence or share a memory visit obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com.
PAID