Betty Jane Gill Gentry

Betty Jane Gill Gentry, 86, passed away on January 5, 2026. She was born on December 15, 1939, to the late Burb James Gill and Henrietta Pearl Wilkinson Gill.

Betty dedicated many years of service to Lees–McRae College, where she was known for her strong work ethic and devotion to students and staff. Betty was a woman of deep and abiding faith. She lived her life guided by compassion, grace, and devotion to God, and was of the Presbyterian faith, which remained a source of strength and comfort throughout her life.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Joan Gentry; two sisters, Regina Gentry and Madaline Ryan; and three brothers, Herbert Gill, Burb Gill, Jr., and Kenny Gill.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Anita Joan Gentry Crawley and husband Nathan of Hickory, North Carolina; two sons, Rick Gentry and wife Debbie of Banner Elk, North Carolina, and Eric Gentry and wife Billie of Minneapolis, North Carolina; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Maxine Brant of North Carolina and Brenda Repass and husband Ben of Meadowview, Virginia.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at Frost Funeral Home in Abingdon, Virginia. Following the visitation hour, family and friends will go in procession to Rosedale Baptist Church Cemetery for a graveside committal service at 12:00 P.M., where Betty will be laid to rest. Brother Fred Stapleton of Granite Falls, North Carolina will officiate the service, and her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Frost Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Ms. Betty Jane Gill Gentry.