Betty Beal Gentry

Betty Beal Gentry, 92, of Charleston, SC, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 4, 2023. She was the widow of Kenneth G. Gentry. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 11, 2023 in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Betty was born October 25, 1930, in Rocky Mount, NC, the only child of Claude P. and Julia Oakley Beal. The family moved to Florence, SC when Betty was 7, and she graduated from McClenaghan High School in 1950. She married the love of her life, Ken, in 1957 and they were married for 60 loving years. In 1960, they welcomed their first daughter, Julia Lillian-Ann, and in 1971, their second daughter, Lisa, was born. Betty was a stay-at-home mom for more than 20 years. In 1985, she bravely fought and won her battle with breast cancer, and then returned to the workforce the following year. She was an insurance coder at Blue Cross/Blue Shield CHAMPUS for more than 10 years. Betty and Ken lived for over 30 years in Darlington, SC, before moving to Charleston to be close to their beloved grandchildren, Eli and Emma.

Betty was a talented seamstress, often making beautiful dresses for her daughters, and was a remarkable piano player. Her faith was solid and foremost in her life, as evidenced by her dedication to volunteering at church. She will be remembered for her compassion for others, and her tenderness towards all who knew her. She was the most wonderful daughter, wife, Mama, Nana, and friend anyone could ever want, and she will be missed dearly.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Scott) Richberg; her grandchildren, Eli Richberg and Emma Richberg, all of Charleston; her sister-in-law, Ruthann Gentry; her niece, Emily (J.R.) Oakes; and her grandnieces, Sylvie Oakes and Lydia Oakes, all of Raleigh, NC. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Julia Lillian-Ann Gentry; and her nephew, Larry L. Welch, Jr.

The family would like to thank the many angels of Roper Hospice for their sweet care of Betty in her final months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Roper Hospice, 676 Wando Park Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464.