Marjorie Gentry

Marjorie Charlene (Godwin) Gentry was born on December 6, 1933 in Norton County, Kansas, to Cecil Loyd Godwin and Clara Belle (Garinger) Godwin. She spent her early years in Norton County and eventually moved to Central Kansas where she attended elementary and high school. From an early age, she expressed an interest in creative endeavors of all types; among other talents, she played the piano, sang, wrote, and crocheted. In high school, she was a member of the journalism team and served as co-editor of the BHS Life and Trojan Annual during her senior year. She was also an active participant in various chorus groups, performed in a number of plays, and served as president of the pep club. In addition to her creative pursuits, Marjorie was a gifted swimmer. As a Red-Cross certified lifeguard, she acted as lifeguard and taught swim lessons to children and women in Mitchell County from 1952-1954. Still, today, many community members remember taking her swimming classes as children. Marjorie loved to dive and continued the practice well into her early seventies. Her grandchildren still remember watching her dive off the Beloit City pool high dive with her signature 1 and ½.

Marjorie graduated from Beloit High School in 1951. After graduation, she attended the University of Kansas and Kansas State College. Alongside her scholarly endeavors, Marjorie was a member of Alpha Delta Pi, played intramural basketball, and was a member of the K-State Purple Pepsters. After college, she taught physical education in Jewell, KS, and Hunter, KS. She married Floyd Gentry on February 12, 1955, and together they welcomed three sons, Robert (Bob), Richard (Rick), and Thomas (Tom).

Floyd's job with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company moved the couple around the state of Kansas from Colby to Prairie Village to Topeka. Marjorie spent these years raising her boys. She was proud of all of their achievements and especially enjoyed cheering them on during their baseball, basketball, and football games and wrestling matches. In 1987, after Floyd's retirement from the phone company, Marjorie and Floyd moved back to Beloit.

Throughout her life, Marjorie maintained her connection to creativity and community through participation in the Delphian Club, the Mitchell County Historical Society, the Garden Club, and the Kansas Author's Club. In her lifetime, she had multiple pieces published throughout the United States, and received many awards for her work. In addition to her poetry and fiction, Marjorie also wrote a history of the Beloit United Methodist Church in 1996.

Marjorie's love of writing, gardening, music, and sports has been undeniably passed on to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She will be remembered fondly by her loved ones with each new bloom of a Moonflower and any time "I'm a Jayhawk" is played.

Marjorie is preceded in death by her husband, Floyd, her parents Cecil and Clara Belle, and granddaughter Samantha.

She is survived by her brother, Bob Godwin, Topeka, KS; her children Bob and wife Lesley, Beloit, KS; Rick and wife Kody, Abilene, KS; and Tom and wife Grace, Palm Harbor, Florida; her grandchildren Heather (Omar) Fuentes, Danielle (Cody) Taylor, Jamie (Mike St John) Gentry, Nathan Gentry, Paul (Darci) Gentry, and Claire Gentry; and her great-grandchildren Bentley, Eli, Liam, Reed, Rynleigh, Wyatt, Zoe, Blair, Huxton, and Everly.

Memorial services will be at 11 AM Friday, July 21 at the Roberts Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1-7 PM with family present from 5-7 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Cremation has taken place. Memorials may be given to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America or Solomon Valley Hospice.