Rock Hill Schools would like to thank Dr. Joseph Edgar Gentry for his 48 years serving in South Carolina public education.  We were fortunate to have Dr. Gentry lead Rock Hill Schools as superintendent for 12 years.

Full Obituary:
Dr. Joseph Edgar Gentry, 90, of Rock Hill, passed away Friday, August 27, 2021 at his residence.  A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 11:00 am at Greenhaven Memorial Park in Woodruff, SC with Chaplain Randy Wright officiating.  Visitation will follow at the graveside following the service.

Dr. Gentry was a member of Oakland Baptist Church where he was a deacon and trustee.  He received his bachelor’s degree from Furman University, his master’s degree from The University of South Carolina and his doctorate degree from Auburn University.  Dr. Gentry spent 48 years in public education in South Carolina.  During that span, he served as a teacher, principal, and district level administrator in Spartanburg, Greenville, Lexington and York counties.  He spent 12 years as the Superintendent of Rock Hill School District Three, retiring in 1993.  He was proud of all the positions he served in that brought him to his lasting career in Rock Hill.  He also served as President of the South Carolina Association of School Superintendents and was named SC Superintendent of the Year by three educational groups.  Dr. Gentry served as a trustee of Furman University and Connie Maxwell Children’s Home. He was very active in various community organizations, including Habitat for Humanity.

Dr. Gentry is survived by his wife of 65years, Patricia Cooper Gentry; two daughters, Laurie Cook (Jerry) of Winston Salem, NC and Patti McCormick (Steve) of Sunset, SC; four grandchildren, Julia Page, Anna Laura Davis, Kristin McCandless and Ashley Newman; three great-grandchildren, Whitaker and Sutton Page and Levi McCandless

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Dr. Gentry’s name to Oakland Baptist Church, 1067 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29732 or the Acts Legacy Foundation for Spiritual Life Ministry, Park Pointe Village, 3025 Chesbrough Blvd, Rock Hill, SC 29732.