of Searcy, AR

February 18, 1929 - January 17, 2025

Helen Ruth Baugh Gentry of Searcy passed away on Friday, January 17, 2025 following the briefest of stays at St. Vincent's Hospital in Little Rock at the age of 95. Born February 18, 1929 to Luther Smith Baugh and Flora Katherine Gaither Baugh in Searcy, she blessed everyone who came into her life.

She was predeceased by her best friend, partner in all things, the love of her life, her husband of 70 years, Martin Franklin (Frank) Gentry. Also welcoming her into heaven were her grandson, Bryan Walter Hutchinson and grandson by marriage Kevin Dean (Dino) Huett; her siblings, Pat Baugh Shourd, Luther Smith (Junior) Baugh, Jr. and wife, Eva and infant siblings, Jerry, June and Judy, who she is now getting to know in heaven.

Left to carry on her legacy is her family; her brother, Donald Gaither (Don) Baugh and sister by marriage, Pat Cook Baugh of Searcy; brother by marriage, Vernon Shourd (Pat), daughter, Donna Gentry Hutchinson and son by marriage, Eric of Conway; son, Charles Franklin (Chuck) Gentry and daughter by marriage, Joan of Searcy. Also remaining are her grandchildren, Amy Hutchinson Huett of Greenbrier, Kristen Gentry Pruitt (Brandon) and Matthew Franklin Gentry both of Searcy.

Her great grandchildren are Victoria Kathleen (Katie) Huett, Nicholas Bryan (Nick) Huett, Eric Douglas Huett all from Greenbrier and Makinley Faith Gentry, Ava Risley Bonner, Alivia Bralyn Bonner from Searcy and Brody Cash. As a beautiful bonus, Helen had many nieces, nephews and cousins who cared deeply for her, as she did for them, considering them as her own.

Helen lived a very long and happy life, always focusing on the love of her family, friends and church. She loved nothing more than to cook a great meal and have a table full of family with everyone talking at one time; she loved to just ''visit'' for a while with friends and family; quilting with her pals at Faith Assembly and of course, going to church every single time the doors were open. In fact, church was the very last place she went just six days before her passing. Much to the chagrin of her family, she always had a camera or a video recorder in her hand just about everywhere she went.
Her best adventures, great and small, were in the company of her husband, Frank. Together they could be found fishing with their dog Chester in the flat bottom boat; camping just the two of them with Buffy the cat and Chester or with their many RV pals with whom they are now enjoying sharing in a heavenly reunion. For many years they traveled with fellow Christian campers working in the MAPS program which provided labor for churches and organizations needing renovations or new construction.

They shared their beloved cabin on the White River with family and friends for years, cooking out, playing in the water or on the sand bar, fishing, swimming and pulling kids, grandkids, friends and family for hours behind the ski boat. For the longest time, they enjoyed keeping an enormous garden (only having one memorable spat witnessed by their granddaughter, Amy, when Helen put too much water on the newly planted tomato plants). They shared freely the fruits of their labor with all in need until they physically could no longer keep the garden up and even then, they continued to always share what they had with joy. She and Frank both had servant's hearts that gave freely of their time, talents and earthly treasures. They both left an imposing task for those of us left here to carry on as we each attempt to show our own servant's heart to the world.

A special thanks to the ICU staff at St. Vincent's Little Rock, her many loving care givers at Providence Assisted Living in Searcy and Brandon Pruitt.

Services will be at Faith Assembly of God Church in Searcy, Arkansas with visitation at 1:00PM and services beginning immediately following at 2:00PM. Burial will be at Fosters Chapel Cemetery in Searcy following the funeral service.

For those who would like to send a memorial gift, the family's preference is Faith Assembly of God Church in Searcy or Hillcrest Children's Home in Hot Springs.

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