OBITUARY: Shirley “Jackie” Jacqueline Myers Gentry

Shirley “Jackie” Jacqueline Myers Gentry, 89, passed away Nov. 26, 2025, following a lengthy illness.

The daughter of Herbert Ross Myers and Gladys Wheeler Myers, she was born Feb. 8, 1936, at the family farm at Ellis Prairie. Tragedy struck the Myers family in the fall of 1940, when her father drowned while on a fishing trip near Sands Shoals on the Big Piney River when she was 4. Her two much older sisters, Virginia and Dorene, pitched in to help their mother raise her. Jackie and her mother moved to Houston in 1946. Jackie graduated with the class of 1954. 

A year later, she married Darrel “Gene” Gentry on May 28, 1955. The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year at Houston House, where Jackie became a resident in spring 2024. 

The Gentrys lived at High Town before moving to Houston in 1965. In the early years of the marriage, Jackie worked with the Texas County Library bookmobile as it was just beginning to serve residents and later for the U.S. Agriculture, Stabilization and Conservation Service and International Shoe. Jackie left the workforce after seven years and devoted her energies to raising the couple’s two children, Bradley Gene and Tricia Renae. 

It was a busy life for the young couple: Gene farmed, began state employment and was involved in public service. The Gentrys were active in their church, First Baptist of Houston. Jackie taught Sunday School for children and was involved in many functions. She was active assisting in her children’s school activities and often found time to continue her love of reading she developed at the library — whether enjoying a good book or reading the newspaper daily — and was talented in the arts, painting and needlepoint. For family and community events, Jackie’s blackberry cobbler and bread rolls were a requested menu item. 

Later in life, Gene and Jackie traveled to many auctions in the Midwest after they became Carnival Glass hobbyists and developed an extensive collection. 

Mrs. Gentry is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters and an infant brother. She is survived by Gene of the home, a son, Brad, Houston; and a daughter, Trish, Collinsville, Oklahoma, as well as a niece, Dana Harper of Houston; a nephew, Roger (Carolyn) Norris of Overland Park, Kansas, and numerous cousins.

Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Houston. Funeral services, under the direction of Evans Funeral Home, Houston, are at 11 a.m. with burial at Pine Lawn Cemetery, Houston. Dr. Howell Burkhead will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Texas County Library Foundation or Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. 

Pallbearers are David Doss, Gary Gentry, Shawn Brown, Dee Skeeters, Jerad Gentry and Bob Gentry.