Verna “Sue” Gentry, 85, passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Sue was born March 13, 1941, in Goodlett, Texas, to Edgle Leonard and Sallie Francis Campsey Leonard. She grew up in Quanah, and it remained an important part of her life throughout the years.

On January 8, 1965, Sue married Walter “Sam” Gentry in Lubbock, Texas. Together, they built a life around their family and spent many years in both Quanah and Wichita Falls. No matter where they were living at the time, they always considered Quanah home.

Sue returned to Quanah before eventually moving back to Wichita Falls. Her connection to Quanah never changed. It was where she grew up, where so many of her family and friends were, and where many of the memories from her life were made.

Sue was a hardworking woman who spent many years managing apartment communities, including Summit Apartments in Wichita Falls. For many of those years, she worked alongside her daughter, Sandra “Sandi” Burch, and their longtime friend Linda McCaffery. Through her work, Sue came to know many residents, coworkers, and friends over the years.

Family was always at the center of Sue’s life. She had the blessing of seeing her family grow through several generations and was proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. More recently, her family grew again with the arrival of great-great-grandchildren, bringing the family to five generations during her lifetime.

Sue and Sam also had many wonderful friends throughout their years together. Among those especially dear to them were their longtime friends “Nicky” O’Neal and Chester Ingram. They shared many good times and memories together, and both preceded Sue in death.

Sue experienced several difficult losses during her life, including the deaths of her husband, Sam, her son, Sammy, and her daughter, Sandi. Sandi passed away in July 2025, just a little more than a year before Sue’s own passing. Through those difficult times, her family remained close and continued to surround her with love.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter “Sam” Gentry; her daughter, Sandra Sue “Sandi” Burch; her son, Sammy Gentry; her parents, Edgle Leonard and Sallie Francis Campsey Leonard; her brothers, E.L. Leonard Jr. and Bill Leonard; and dear friends “Nicky” O’Neal and Chester Ingram.

Sue is survived by her son, Joe “Joey” Burch, Jr. and his wife, Carey; her sister, Marie Wells; her grandsons, Derek Whisenand and his wife, Mandi, and Cody Gentry and his wife, Kelly; and her great-grandchildren, Luke and Grace Whisenand, CooperAnne Barahona, Emilee Behringer, Creed Gentry, Cortt Gentry, and CJ Gentry, along with their families and the newest generation of great-great-grandchildren.

Sue is also survived by her nieces Deborah Moody, Donna Smith, and Rebecca Ulrich, along with many other nieces and nephews and a large extended family of great-nieces and great-nephews. To so many of them, she was simply “Aunt Sue,” a name used with a lot of love by generations of her family.

Sue shared a special bond with her sister, Marie Wells. Their morning and evening phone calls became a regular part of their days, often happening like clockwork, and were a connection they both treasured.

Sue was especially close to Deborah and Donna. Along with Sandi, the four were affectionately known as the “Golden Girls.” They traveled together, laughed together, and made many memories along the way. Deborah and Donna remained especially close to Sue and were a loving and steady presence in her life, particularly after Sandi passed away.

Sue lived 85 years surrounded by family and friends. From her childhood in Quanah through the many generations of family that came after her, she leaves behind a lifetime of memories for those who loved her. Quanah was always home to Sue, so it is fitting that her family and friends will gather there to remember her and celebrate her life.

A funeral service celebrating Sue’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Quanah, Texas.

She will be deeply missed by the family and friends who loved her and will always remember her as Sue, Nana, Gaga, and Aunt Sue.

In place of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to any cancer research organization of your choice.