Juanita Ann "Skeater" Bates Welch Gentry, age 89,of Sheridan, Arkansas, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, May 25, 2017. She was born on June 10, 1927. She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Claiborne Welch and her husband of 23 years, Noel Gentry, her stepson Joel Gentry, and her parents Roy Bates & Bertha Bates Jackson.

Left to cherish her memory are her 5 daughters, Velma Crouch of Sheridan, Shirley (Jerry) Vint of Alexander, Inas (Randy) Harrison of North Little Rock, Mary (Lew) Wallace of Deatsville, AL, Sandy (Joe) Fitzpatrick of Cary, NC, and 3 step daughters, Belinda (Marvin) Greene of Little Rock, Ellen (David) Lawson of Sheridan, & Peggy (Daryll) Hatheway of California, 14 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren, and her sweet dog "Lady".

Mrs. Gentry loved her Lord, her family, her friends at Crown Point Retirement Center, working with her flowers, reading, crocheting, annual beach trips with her 5 daughters, and Gospel music.

The family would like to thank her many friends, caregivers, & Saline Memorial Hospice for all the kindnesses shown.


Visitation will be 10:00 am on Monday at Memorial Gardens in Sheridan with Funeral service following at 11:00 am. Burial will be at 1:30 pm at Lisbon Cemetery, 5870 Lisbon Rd, El Dorado, AR.