Robert Simon Gentry was born on April 15, 1849 in Jackson County, Tennessee (see the 1850 Jackson County Census). His parents were Meredith Jordan Gentry and Frances Ann Shanks Gentry.

Robert fell in love three times during his life. His first wife was Maudie "Mattie" Cilantha Bockman, the daughter of John and Manervia Bockman. They married on November 21, 1878, in Putnam County, Tennessee.

Robert and Cilantha/Carlantha/Collantha/Clantha had at least the following seven children:

1) James Milton, March 22, 1881, Putnam County - November 25, 1952 McCracken County, Kentucky Note 1: married Sudie Elector Lee Note 2: buried with Sudie in Maplelawn Park Cemetery, Paducah, McCracken County, Kentucky

2) Margaret Frances "Sid," December 4, 1882 Putnam County - May 31, 1971 Putnam County Note 1: married William "Billy" Matthew Carr Note 2: buried with Billy in Smellege Cemetery, Burna, Putnam County

3) Amanda Jane, May 3, 1885 Putnam County - October 31, 1932 Putnam County Note 1: married Robert Oscar Gentry Note 2: buried with Robert in Judd Church Cemetery, Cookeville, Putnam County, Tennessee

4) Clarence Houston (male), November 15, 1886 Putnam County - April 9, 1953 McCracken County, Kentucky Note 1: married Ora Holt Note 2: buried Oak Grove Cemetery, Paducah County, Kentucky

5) Lucille "Lucy" A., May 1889 Note 1: married Unknown Daniels and lived in Knoxville in 1952 per brother James's obituary

6) Robert Napoleon, August 10, 1890 Putnam County - June 2, 1964, Santa Cruz, CA Note 1: married Ethel Mary Beauchamp Note 2: buried with Ethel in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, CA

7) Roxie Lula, August 20, 1892, Putnam County - November 19, 1981, Putnam County Note 1: married a) Samuel McCulley and b) Isaac Oliver Brown, Sr. Note 2: buried with Oliver in Crest Lawn Cemetery, Putnam County

Robert's wife Maudie died December 18, 1893, most likely in Putnam County.

Robert married again on September 10, 1894, in Putnam County. His second wife was Lucinda "Lucy" M. Franklin, the daughter of David Edward L. Franklin and Laura Ann Stewart Franklin. Lucy was born on June 13, 1875, in Putnam County. Bob and Lucy had at least the following seven children:

8) Minnie E., July 17, 1895 - April 1897 Putnam County

9) Vinnie M, January 22, 1897 - February 22, 1899 Putnam County

10) Mary E., February 13, 1899 Putnam County Note 1: last appeared-for this researcher--in the June 1900 Putnam County Census, some researchers say that she died shortly thereafter

11) Ethel T., January 10, 1901 Putnam County - June 10, 1992 Warren, Macomb County, Michigan Note 1: married John Wesley Roberts Note 2: probably buried in one of the Cadillac Memorial Gardens Cemetery, either East or West

12) William Hay, May 7, 1903, Putnam County - July 5, 1990 Jasper, Jasper County, Texas Note 1: possibly buried in Zion Hill Cemetery where good friends John William Fuller and Bettie Gene Fuller were buried in 1990 and 1982 respectively. He lived with this family, and they referred to him as their "adopted brother (see 1940 Texas Census)." Note 2: Or has this researcher found the right William H. Gentry? In the 1930 Detroit, Michigan, Census, the three brothers Hay, Ray, and Fay all lived in Michigan in the same household. Why would Hay move to Texas? Ray and Fay work in the auto industry in 1930. Hay, however, stated on the census that he had been unemployed for 11 months. Did he give up on working in Michigan and move to
Texas where he was a farmer laborer on the 1940 Census?

13) Ernest Ray, April 16, 1905, Putnam County - February 20, 1995 Fraser, Macomb County, Michigan Note 1: married Katherine May Burke)

14) Fay Bethel, February 16, 1907, Putnam County - December 16, 1998 Livonia, Wayne County, Michigan Note 1: married a) Velma Alberta Childs and b) Margaret Smith Richardson (widow of Clarence Richardson) Note: possibly buried with Velma in "White Chapel" in Wayne County, Michigan, or possibly buried with Margaret in Whitefield Memorial Gardens, Dalton, "Whitfield County, Georgia

Robert's wife Lucy died on August 18, 1907, most likely in Putnam County.

Robert married a third time between 1910 and 1920 (see the 1920 Putnam County Census). His third wife's first name was Ruth; her maiden name is unknown by this researcher. She was born about 1895 in Tennessee.

Robert Simon Gentry died on September 19, 1924, in Putnam County, Tennessee, and was buried in Bloomington Cemetery, Putnam County per Tennessee, Deaths and Burials, 1874-1955.

bio by Lynn, great-granddaughter of Henderson Brown Gentry

Thanks to Joyce for allowing me to write this bio for the memorial to this fine man