Emma D. Gentry

Emma Gentry, 97, passed from this life into the arms of her Lord and Savior on March 30, 2013.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church in Ericksdahl with Rev. Teresa Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Lutheran Church Cemetery under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home.

Emma Pearson was born September 3, 1915, in Ericksdahl, Texas in Jones County. She was the fourth of seven children born to Swedish settlers Anna (Segerstrom) Pearson and Theodore Pearson. She attended Swenson School in the Ericksdahl Community. In addition to speaking her native Swedish, it was during her education at Swenson School that she acquired her English speaking skills.

Emma married Richard Nauert in Ericksdahl, Texas on September 14, 1940. To this marriage two children were born, Margaret and Dwain. Richard died in a hunting accident in February of 1952.

On April 27, 1955, Emma married Ross Gentry in Ericksdahl, Texas. With this union, she was blessed with two step-children, Mary Beth and David. Ross preceded Emma in death on April 4, 2001. Emma was employed by Safeway and Cashway Grocery Stores for several years, and was always a hardworking lady. She and Ross later owned and diligently maintained numerous rent houses. Emma spent her life caring for her home and family, who were her pride and joy. She valued a tailored appearance and was a meticulous housekeeper who loved to cook delicious recipes for her family and friends.

Emma was a lifetime member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Ericksdahl. She was a member of Bethel Business Women’s Willing Workers and served her church in various other capacities.

Survivors include her daughter Margaret Miller and husband Mike of Stamford; two sons, Dwain Nauert and wife Karen of Stamford and David Gentry and wife Carla of El Paso; one brother, Emil Pearson of Stamford; 11 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Hilda Kieke and Mary Pearson; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Emma was preceded in death by her two husbands, her parents, a grandson Dennis Miller, daughter Mary Beth Gentry Law, one sister Olga Speigelhauer, and four brothers, Anton Pearson, Earnest Pearson, Lawrence Pearson and Albert Pearson.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Gary Miller, Ricky Miller, Logan Nauert, Blake Nauert, and Eric Gentry, and nephews David Pearson, Glen Pearson, Mark Pearson, and Keith Pearson.