Lela B. Gentry, 83, Bristow

Lela B. Gentry, 83, passed away on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Deaconess Memorial Medical Center in Jasper, IN.

She was born March 31, 1942, at her home in Sassafras, Ind., daughter of the late Clarence and Delema (Chesser) Beard.

Lela was also preceded in death by her children, Teresa Gentry and Jeffrey Gentry, in infancy, and her sister, Lorna King.

Lela graduated from Bristow High School in 1960. She worked at Mobel, Inc. in Ferdinand, where she retired in 2005, after 26 years of dedicated service. She enjoyed playing games on her phone and reading books by her favorite author, James Patterson.

Survivors include her daughter, Loretta Gentry of Jasper and her brothers, Donald “Jerry” (Violet) Beard of Bristow and Bill (Patti) Beard of Keystone Heights, FL.

A private burial will take place in Beard Cemetery in Bristow, IN, where she will be laid to rest with her family.

Condolences may be left at zoercher-gillickfuneralhome.com