Dr. Celia Arellano Gentry

Dr. Celia Arellano Gentry was 91 and living in San Benito, TX when she peacefully passed away at home on Friday, April 21, 2023 surrounded by her family.

She was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico to Emeterio and Eva Arellano on March 3, 1932.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Jesus and Raymundo Arellano, sisters Ernestine Fincher and Antonia (Tony) Crisler, and ex-husband Carl Gentry of Denton Texas.

Dr. Gentry graduated in 1952 from San Benito High School where she was a member of the San Benito Band.  She attended Texas Womans University and graduated with a Bachelor degree in Education.  In 1979 she attended Pan American University and graduated with a Masters Degree in Special Education and in 1986 received her Doctorate in Child Psychology from Texas Womans University.

She was a member of Our Lady Queen of the Universe Church where she taught CCD and a member of the Alter Society from 1970 – 1977.  She was a Boy Scout Den Mother and lead the Girl School Troop 33 from 1970 – 1978.

Her teaching career started in 1954 in Palacios CISD.  She taught in Harlingen CISD and San Benito CISD from 1955 – 1982. Dr. Gentry retired from Fort Worth CISD in 1999.  After her retirement, Dr. Gentry continued working for Weslaco CISD from 2000 – 2008 where she taught special education classes and children who were very ill and home bound.  From 2008 until December 2022, Dr. Gentry worked with numerous children who needed individualized tutoring, especially children that were impacted during Covid.  Her teaching career spanded over 68 years and touched the lives of over 2000 children.

Dr. Gentry’s interests included devouring books 3-4 a week and enjoyed tending to her plants.  Her humor was enjoyed by anyone that came across her path and she would throw out a joke or two to start a conversation.

She is survived by her children Leslie Whittemore, Bobby Gentry (Laura) and Yvonne Guerra (Fidel), Grandchildren include:  Christina Baker (Brandon) of Virginia, Katherine Whittaker (Ryan) of Allen, TX, Bobby (Terry), Westin (Annie) and Taite (Alexandra) Gentry of Denton, Texas, and Elizabeth Carrillo (Michael) of Mission, TX.  Twelve great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  Siblings include Bobby Fincher, Emeterio Arellano (Alma Trevino), Aurora (Mona) Pelache both of San Benito TX and Rosemary Knight (John) of Winfield, Illinois.

Pallbearers Include:  Bobby, Westin and Taite Gentry, Brandon Baker, Ryan Whittaker and Michael Carrillo.  Hononary Pallbearers:  Bobby Gentry, Fidel Guerra, Gilbert Arellano, Raymundo J. Arellano, Reymundo Arellano and Jesus Arellano

The family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, April 26, 20223 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 o’clock on Wednesday evening.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church.  Interment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

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