Vannoy Kirkpatrick Gentles, 86, passed away on December 29th, 2023 in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Vannoy was born on September 30th, 1937 in Sulphur Springs, Tx to John Presley “Sid” and Henrietta (Hill) Kirkpatrick.
Vannoy met the love of her life, Thomas Norman Gentles, and married him a whopping three days later on September 5th, 1956. Together almost sixty-two years, Thomas passed away on May 30th, 2018 with Vannoy by his side. Vannoy was an artist who loved to paint and write poetry. She also very much loved shopping and going on adventures with her children and grandchildren. She was full of life and always willing to try anything new, from going on multiple cruises with her family to enrolling in college courses in her mid-sixties. She was a joy to be around, thanks to her kind heart, infectious giggle and warm smile.
Vannoy was a devout Christian and a member of First Baptist Church. Vannoy also devoted her money and efforts to various charities and ministries, with much of her time spent in her later years volunteering with her daughters at their family’s non-profit bookstore.
Vannoy Gentles is survived by daughters Vannoy Fite; Michele McDaniel and husband Jesse McDaniel; son Thomas Michael Gentles; grandchildren Vannoy Lin Reynolds and husband Jerry, Brian McDaniel and wife Jennifer, Colleen Hoover and husband Heath, Thomas Howard and wife Angela; Amanda McDaniel; Kassie Gentles; sixteen great-grandchildren; sisters, Sydney Anderson and spouse Lynn; Ann Oliver and spouse Mike; brother Bert Kirkpatrick and wife Dama. Vannoy was preceded in death by husband Thomas Gentles, daughter Jacqueline Gentles Howard; son-in-law Vance Fite; great granddaughter Kalya Howard; siblings James Kirkpatrick, Ray Kirkpatrick, J.P. Kirkpatrick, Sybil Jones and Roena Butcher.
A visitation for Vannoy will be held at West Oaks funeral home on Thursday, January 4th at 9:30a.m. followed by services at 10:30a.m. with Greg Anderson officiating. Interment will follow at Restlawn cemetery with Michael Anderson, Keith Anderson, Mike oliver, Tony Titsworth, Jim Clater and Dale Brown serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Benny Kirkpatrick, Cheyenne Smithers and David Jones. Flowers can be sent to West Oaks funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com
