Susannah Catherine Gentry

Susannah C. �Sue� Gentry
Susannah Catherine �Sue� Gentry of Independence, Mo., a former editor of
The Independence Examiner, long-time journalist and local historian, died
Monday, Oct. 11, 2004, at The Groves in Independence.
Sue was born May 5, 1905, in a red-brick, Civil War bullet-ridden farm
house in Eastern Jackson County, just off U.S. 24 at Salem Church. Her
parents were Nettie Bloom and Harvey Helm Gentry. She lived her entire life
within a six-mile radius and knew it better than perhaps anyone. She spent
her entire adult living, writing and reporting on the people, events and
history of Independence and Jackson County as a journalist. It was not
merely a profession, but a passion.
The family moved from the farm into Independence in 1912 so their
children could attend public schools. They attended the old Ott School. Sue
graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1923 and attended junior
college in Kansas City before starting a lengthy work and professional
career.
Sue first worked for the Community (Welfare) Services League before going
to the Independence Chamber of Commerce as an office secretary. Publisher
Colonel William Southern recruited her in 1929 to write social items for the
Independence Examiner, which he founded in 1888.
That began a 70-year career with The Examiner that included a 10-year
stint as city editor when she took over operations of the news department in
1943. Harry Truman was president during most of the 10-year period. She was
among the first woman editors in the Midwest, though she never attended
journalism school. She covered the Independence School Board, Chamber of
Commerce, the Truman Library and other local organizations. She became a
close confidante and friend of the Truman family, particularly during the
post-presidential years in Independence, when the nation�s press continued
to cover Truman�s retirement years.
She retired from The Examiner in 1973, but continued her weekly column
appropriately called, �The Local Gentry.� She continued until 1999 when she
officially retired, ending a 70-year association with The Examiner.
Among her most cherished possessions was an autographed photograph from
President Truman to Gentry that stated, �from an admirer for her accurate
reporting.�
She had four great loves: Her church, her neighborhood, local history and
The Examiner. She was devoted to and passionate about each. She joined the
First Christian Church in January 1915 and had the longest church membership
at her death.
She was an influential lead in the Jackson County Historical Society and
helped reorganize it in 1948, serving as its president and editor of its
journal.
The family moved into the Truman neighborhood in 1924 and Sue lived in
the historic family home until 2002.
Sue was a great friend to all, an enthusiastic storyteller and willing to
share what she knew with out-of-town news people seeking information,
particularly as it concerned the Truman�s and her community.
She indeed witnessed a century and spent her life writing about it.
Her parents and two brothers, Harvey and Andrew, preceded her in death.
Another brother died in infancy.
Surviving relatives include Myla Gentry, who married Sue�s nephew,
Richard Gentry, along with the couple�s three children, Nicholas, Anthony
and Alexander, and their wives and their children.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at the
First Christian Church of Independence. Visitation will follow the memorial
service. Her body was given to medical science. The family suggests memorial
contributions to the First Christian Church, the Jackson County Historical
Society or the Sue Gentry Journalism Scholarship, in care of the
Independence School District. Arrangements are under the direction of the
Speaks Suburban Chapel, Independence.