LaKesha L. Gentry

“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain…” Philippians 1:21

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

LaKesha “Kesha” LaChelle Gentry was delivered into this world, as a blessing from God, to Claude and Marcia Gentry on April 23, 1986. She was born in Nashville, AR, but was nurtured by her parents in Antoine, AR. She had a devoted love for Christ at a young age. She was a baptized parishioner at the Antoine Church of Christ until its closing. She joined Dodson Street Church of Christ in Nashville, AR, and attended until her health would not allow her to continue.

Kesha was a 2004 graduate of Delight High School in Delight, AR. After graduating high school she attended the University Of Arkansas Community College at Hope, AR, for a short time. She decided to pursue a degree in nursing and in 2008 she graduated from the LPN program at Ouachita Technical College (College of the Ouachitas) in Malvern, AR. In 2013, she graduated from National Park Community College with her Associates of Science in Nursing Degree. After becoming an RN, she pursued her Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree at Henderson State University. She withdrew, due to her failing health, with just a few hours short of graduation. She was a former employee of Nashville Nursing Home, Prescott Manor, and Baptist Health Medical Center-Malvern. She was employed at National Park Hospital in Hot Springs, AR. Kesha believed being a nurse was her calling and she served with a servant’s heart.

Though the years in between her sunrise and sunset seem so short, she left unforgettable memories to be cherished by her family and friends. She was the epitome of strength and courage. For every reason she had to complain, she found two more reasons to rejoice. Kesha always found time to give others encouraging words, even while facing her own adversities. She never met a stranger and wore a smile that you rarely seen her without. Kesha loved her family and loved to celebrate them during all occasions. She was most happy when she was spending time with her children. She enjoyed taking them on vacations and making them happy. Education was important to her and she made sure she instilled that in her children. Kesha loved to go out to eat, but her favorite thing to eat was her father’s BBQ chicken. She was the life of the party and captured most memories in the form of “selfies’ or “usies”. She possessed the true spirit of friendship and was a friend to many. She loved to sing, but most importantly she loved to sing praises to God. She knew he was bigger than anything that she could ever face and testified to that often. Kesha was a wholesome example of what it looks like to have unwavering faith, hope, and love.

In her 31st season, Kesha passed away on March 13, 2018, at National Park Hospital in Hot Springs. Kesha is proceeded in death by her grandparents: Norman Jr. and Roberta Gentry (2017) and Billy Ray and Helen White.

Those who are left to cherish her memories are her parents, Claude and Marcia Gentry of Antoine, Ar, her two children, Kendrien Piggee and Kaylee Gentry of Okolona, AR, two siblings, Derico Whitmore and Brittany White of Okolona, AR, two nieces, Makayla Whitmore and Jayla Thompson, four nephews, Kapriland Horton, Derico Whitmore, Jr., Devin Whitmore, and Dylan Whitmore, three aunts, six uncles, and a host of cousins, other family members and friends.

She also leaves to cherish her memories her special friends Dante Monk, Corey Piggee, Joe Bailey, Cheri Farmer, and Nadia Hay.

Family and Friends Hour will be at Delight Church of Christ in Delight, Arkansas from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Interment will be in Harrison Chapel Cemetery in Delight, Arkansas.

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