Twalla Earlene Johnson Gentry
Twalla Earlene Gentry, 85, of Beaumont, died April 2, 2024. She was born August 29, 1938, in Beaumont, to Joan Odom LeBlanc and William “Bill” LeBlanc.
Twalla was the last living Charter Member of LaBelle Baptist Church. LaBelle Baptist Church was started in her family’s front yard in a tent. It was later moved to Highway 365 where services were still performed in the tent, while chickens were running around squawking. Her dad built the first little white church in the 1950’s, which was later torn down. He then built the red brick church in 1962. This little church made it for many years but had to be torn down again for the present building. Twalla was proud of her church and continued servicing her church and the community.
She was over the Building and Grounds Committee, as well as all decorations for the church. She even had her own room called, “Twalla’s Room.” You better not touch anything in her room or she would get you!
Her hobby outside of church was working in her flower beds with her roses and various other plants. She was known as “Mawmaw” to her grandchildren and “Memaw” to her great-grandchildren. She loved and adored all thirty-one of them.
Survivors include her children, Charles “Chuck” Crain and wife, Brenda; Kimberly Wills and husband, Bill; Twalla Lynn Faulk and husband, Darrell; and Dana Matte and husband, Keith; bonus son, Carl Reid Gentry and wife, Darlene; eleven grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; and brothers, James LeBlanc and Billy LeBlanc.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, Alfred Johnson, who passed in 2009, and Carl Gentry, who passed in 2014; daughter, Debra Gaspard; and siblings, Edward LeBlanc, Betty LeBlanc, Lester LeBlanc, and Ricky LeBlanc.
A gathering of Mrs. Gentry’s family and friends will be 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 5, 2024, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. Her funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 6, 2024, at LaBelle Baptist Church, 9400 FM 365, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Gentry’s honor to the LaBelle Baptist Church Building Fund, 9400 FM 365, Beaumont, Texas 77705.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Nederland
- 505, North 12th Street, Nederland, Texas, 77627,
- April 5, 2024
- 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Funeral Service
LaBelle Baptist Church
- 9400, Farm to Market Road 365, Beaumont, Texas, 77705,
- April 6, 2024
- 1:00 pm
Interment
Oak Bluff Memorial Park
- 618, Block Street, Port Neches, Texas, 77651,
- April 6, 2024
Condolences to the family. Twalla was so full of life with family values. Miss her greatly. When Michael and I moved across the street, her and AL welcomed us. When Alyssa was born they were both there as extended family. She would always remind me of Alyssa walking in the water in her rubber boots. Great memories!
Enjoyed our discussions on flowers, vegetable garden, home decorating, and wine. She was such a wonderful, caring person and will be missed greatly by both myself and daughter.
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Condolences to the family during this very difficult time. May the Lord be with you all. R.I.P Twalla. Rest in the arms of the Lord!
She was always a sweet and fun person. I loved going to her house and listening to all the stories she’d tell me about her growing up. She had such a pure soul. She will be greatly missed.
I will miss you my sweet friend more then I probably can even imagine. I will cherish our friendship and wonderful memories always.
Such an Amazing Beautiful Lady my second Mom you will be so missed by so many people!!!! You were the most wonderful Mom ever! I Love you with all my Heart save a place for us in Heaven!!!
Such an amazing lady! Beautiful and a soul for our Savior! Her legacy for family, Christ and love left and shown through her children and grandchildren! You will be missed by all, including myself! I’ll treasure our talks Twalla and I’ll keep our secrets! Please tell my mom I miss her and give her a hug for me!
As beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. First met her as a child and then enjoyed knowing her as an adult when we attended the same church. Prayers for peace and comfort for her family.