Martha Jane Gentry

Martha Jane Gentry (Bacon) was born August 21, 1924, in Indianapolis, IN. Her proud parents were Bessie Bacon (Durham) and Issac J. Bacon. Martha lived a long and full 100 years and left to be with Jesus in His heavenly kingdom on May 19, 2025.

Martha loved reading and was often in trouble with her parents for reading books while she was supposed to be doing other things, including sleeping. She was an excellent student at Crispus Attucks High School where her reading paid off and she received a full scholarship to Franklin College at the age of 16. While at Franklin College, she petitioned the college president to start a chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. He declined and Martha had to pledge in Indianapolis. She was a proud member of AKA for over 80 years.

Martha graduated from Franklin with a double major in French and English. Through graduate studies, she went on to learn Spanish, Italian and German which she used in her 34-year career at Ft. Benjamin Harrison where she led an all-male and all Caucasian team in the translation of secret documents for the US Army. At her retirement, Martha was praised for her mentoring of young women.

At the age of 23, Martha met and married a young Army veteran, John R. Gentry. To John and Martha were born two children, John Robert and Deborah Kay.

Martha loved cooking, entertaining and playing Bridge. She hosted an annual Christmas eve party for over 30 years. Her homemade rolls were quite famous and she guarded the recipe till her death. She did share it with her daughter, Deborah but swore her to secrecy.

She and her siblings were members of national Bridge clubs and traveled playing Bridge across the country. She was also a Charter member of The Bridgettes in Indianapolis. She shared her love of card games with her children, John Robert Gentry, Jr. and Deborah Kay Gentry Davis. They especially enjoyed playing Dad, a game they were often accused of having made up.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Bessie Durham Bacon and Issac J. Bacon, her sister, Rosa Lee Watson (Bacon), her brother Issac J. Bacon Jr, and her son, John R. Gentry Jr. Her spirit will forever be cherished by her daughter, Deborah Kay Gentry (James) Davis, grandchildren, Randol Davis (Danny Charles) Elam, James (Joshua) Davis-Gilstrap, Jeri Noel Gentry, John Robert Gentry III and Carleigh Catherine Gentry (Daniel) Ruiz, great grandchildren in Decatur, IL and niece Wanda J. Jackson (Watson), nephew Issac Watson and great and grand nieces and nephews through Rosa’s children.

Martha was raised in Second Christian Church where she also raised her children. She became a devoted member of Allisonville Christian Church, whose members and Pastor covered her with love, visits and cards during her convalescence. The family asks in lieu of flowers that donations be made in her memory directly to Allisonville Christian Church to support their “Sick & Shut-in Ministry” @ Christian Church 7701 Allisonville Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46250