Mattie Lee Gentry

January 28, 1926 - September 21, 2017

Mattie Lee (Johnson) Gentry, 91, passed away peacefully with her family by her side in Fort Collins on Thursday, September 21, 2017. Mattie was born to Jennings Bryan Johnson and Maude Johnson and was raised in Elkin, North Carolina along with her sister Lillian Collins and brother Jim Johnson. Mattie graduated from Elkin High School, where she earned a Citizenship Award and was elected to the National Beta Club due to her splendid attitude, outstanding character, achievement, cooperation, high scholastic standing and dependability. Mattie married George L. Gentry on November 9, 1954 in Elkin, starting a new life as a military wife, stationed at various locations until George’s retirement from the U.S. Army in 1962. Mattie and George had one son, George “Pug” L. Gentry II. Mattie worked at various jobs during her life, including the telephone company in North Carolina and city and county governments in North Dakota, where she ultimately retired as deputy auditor for the city of Williston in 1990. Mattie’s number one enjoyment and top priority in life was her family. She enjoyed cooking and gardening and her grandkids remember her giving the best hugs. After George’s death, Mattie joined her family in Fort Collins. She enjoyed volunteering at the Vineyard Church and Poudre Valley Hospital and was on the Board for SAINT. She really loved baking her world-famous banana bread for anyone who wanted it…which was everyone! She was also known for her bottomless candy dish, “infamous cheeseball” and deviled eggs. If you were a friend of her family, you were her friend! Mattie is survived by her son, George “Pug” L. Gentry II and daughter-in-law, Susie; grandson, Nicholas Gentry and wife Taylor; granddaughter, Rhiannon Santos and husband Jason; great-grandchildren, Makoa Santos, Meiliana Santos, Mac Gentry and Abiah Gentry; sister-in-law, DeWitt Freeman; and several nieces and nephews. Mattie is also survived by her best friend Karol Dempsey. Mattie was preceded in death by her parents, Jennings Bryan & Maude; husband George; sister Lillian; brother Jim; and sisters-and brothers-in-law. A memorial service is scheduled at 1:00 pm, Friday, October 6, 2017 at Vintage City Church in Fort Collins. Inurnment service will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 21, 2017 at Riverview Cemetery in Williston, North Dakota. Contributions may be made directly to Halcyon Hospice, P.O. Box 177 / 209 Main St, Unit B, Mead, CO 80542-0177. “Best Mom Ever”