Jaunita Belle Henderson Gentry, 101 years old and 10 months. Mrs. Gentry was born in Neodesha, Kansas, November 19, 1924, to Leota B. Farling Henderson and Alfonso Henderson. Jaunita's family moved to Potwin, Kansas, in 1924, so her father could work at the refinery there. She attended school in Potwin, a fun place to live with friends. 

She came back to Neodesha in March of 1943, when her step-grandpa passed away. She stayed with her grandmother, Nellie Starkey, on the farm for awhile. She then got a job in Parsons, Kansas, at the ammunition plant. She found this guy, Bill Gentry and dated him. Jaunita and Bill were married May 20, 1944, in Fredonia, Kansas, at the courthouse at 10:00PM. The couple had almost 50 years together in Neodesha, Kansas, before Bill passed away. Jaunita and Bill lived in Neodesha and then Yuma, Arizona, for a year before moving back to Neodesha, Kansas. 

Jaunita and Bill had two sons, Norman, and Richard (Phyllis), and daughter, Norma Lee. She had six grandchildren; Doug Harris (Jeanie), Kristie Jewell (Dwayne), Terri Ward (Clint), Patricia Gentry, Shawn Berryman (Mike), Jason Gentry (Brandi) and two step-grandchildren, Darrin Sanders (Heather) and Terry Sanders. Sixteen great grandchildren and twelve great-great grandchildren.  

A visitation will be held at the Christ Church of Neodesha, Kansas, on September 21, 2026, from 9:30AM to 10:30AM. A service to honor Jaunita's memory will be held at the Christ Church of Neodesha, Kansas, September 21, 2026, at 11:00AM. A graveside service is to follow at the Neodesha City Cemetery located at 1900 N. 12th St., Neodesha, Kansas, 66757.

 In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Gentiva Hospice located in Parsons, Kansas.