Video: Community Rallies Around Gentry Family

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STARKVILLE, Miss, (WCBI)- Strangers and friends alike are stepping forward to help an Oktibbeha County family tonight.

Dodds Gentry and his son JD died after the SUV they were in hit a log truck.

With another son in critical condition at a Jackson hospital, people are trying to show the Gentry’s they care.

“Total shock,” Pat Stacy said, who’s a friend of the family.

“Disbelief, that’s my immediate reaction, I didn’t believe it,” Ruth Willis said, who’s known the family for 30 years.

That’s how friends of the Gentry family are reacting to this past Friday’s deadly crash on Highway 82 in Oktibbeha County.

And their sadness continues to sink in.

“Awful for Gina, awful for Mrs. Pat cause she knew them for a long time, awful for everybody,” Hallmark employee Courtney Chesnut said.

Now, the Starkville community is rallying to support the family.

“Everybody who knew Gina and Dodds had the utmost respect for them. They loved everybody and that heartfelt love was returned in like,” Stacy said.

Gina Gentry is the manager at the Hallmark store in Starkville.

Employees said dozens of people have called and even left donations for the Gentry’s.

“There was some here this morning when I came to open., three or four envelopes,” Stacy said.

“I had to, cause it’s the least I can do for her and for the family,” Willis said.

Ruth Willis has known the Gentry’s for 30 years.

She said they played a big role in the community, and now it’s time for others to help heir family.

“I knew that the community would because of both of them but it’s just heart warming to see that the community is coming together to support them,” Willis said.
If you would like to help, donations are being accepted at the Hallmark Store or Renasant Bank.

Categories: Local News

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