Martha S. Gentry

Martha Simmons Gentry passed away June 8, 2016 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Lakeland, Florida. She was blessed with an eventful ninety three years. Martha was the granddaughter of Reverend Bascom Carlton and his wife Martha of Bowling Green, Florida, and the daughter of Thomas Simmons and Lora Carlton. Martha attended Hardee County Schools and Florida Southern College. She eventually married, had a son, and became a real estate broker in Bartow, Sarasota, and Franklin, North Carolina. Mrs. Gentry returned to Hardee County to care for her mother in 1989. Prior to her illness, Martha moved back to Bartow and resided in Savannah Court. Martha was a member of the Florida Board of Realtors and a Methodist. Her hobbies were gardening and music. In her youth she also loved tennis. She is survived by her son Harry L. Orwig, III and wife Bette, granddog Bandit, a cousin Joanne Taylor, and her helper and friend Helen Fulse McWhorter. A short memorial service will be held at the chapel of Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow on Thursday, June 16 at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, First United Methodist of Bowling Green, Florida, ARP Presbyterian in Bartow, or a charity of your choice.