Jerleen (Costner) "Jerri" Gentry, 70, of Loudon, left this earthly life Wednesday morning, Oct. 28, 2009, to be with the Lord in the Glory of her eternal home.

She was a faithful servant member of Vaughn Chapel Baptist Church. She was also a retired dental assistant, working with Dr. Paul Brakebill of Loudon for 46 years.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Billy Joe Gentry; and by her father, Sam Henry Costner.

Jerri's earthly life was devoted to serving and glorifying the Lord, a devoted mother and grandmother she is survived by her loving family including her daughters and sons-in-law, Angela (Gentry) and John LoCascio of Knoxville; Susan (Gentry) and Keith Kelley of Loudon; her grandchildren, Logan, Jeriel and Kamron Kelley of Loudon and Justin and Lucas LoCascio and Danielle Locascio Fritts, all of Knoxville, and Raquel LoCascio, Atlanta, Ga.; her great-grandchildren, Eli and Ella Fritts and Derick Locascio; her mother, Mary (Presley) Costner; her brother, Jesse Costner; her sister and brother in-law, Sammie (Costner) and Jim Nix, all of Loudon; and by several nieces, nephews and friends.

The family sends a special thank you to all the nurses and aides at Caris Healthcare and the staff at Tennessee Cancer Specialists.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday prior to the service at the church.  Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday at Vaughn Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Randy Leming officiating. Family and friends will gather at 10 a.m. Friday at McGill Karnes Funeral Home and proceed to the Loudon County Memorial Gardens for an 11 a.m. interment.

Contributions in memory of Jerri may be made to the Women's Ministry of Vaughn Chapel Baptist Church, 850 Vaughns Chapel Road, Lenoir City, Tennessee 37771.

McGill-Karnes Funeral Home of Loudon is in charge of arrangements. www.mcgillkarnes.com.