Willie James Gent

Posted on November 7, 2018

Willie James Gent was born Dec. 15, 1953, in Perry to the late Willie “Son” Gent and Rosa Lee Fudge Love.

He was united in holy matrimony to Lessie M. Gent on July 29, 1992.

He dedicated his life to Christ at an early age. He was previously a member of New Jerusalem P.B. Church for 27 years. He received a certificate of graduation for deacons on Sept. 13, 2008, by Moderator Elder Dr. Robert Gaines and Instructor Elder F.R. Rush in Tallahassee.

Willie James joined the New Brooklyn M.B. Church on March 6, 2016 (Pastor Donald McBride). He served on the Deacon Board. He was a member of the choir and was a Sunday School teacher. Willie James loved studying, teaching and learning more about the Word of God.

Willie James was a 1971 graduate of Chiefland High School and he also attended Jerkins High School in Perry. He received a certificate of achievement in industrial electronics from Taylor Technical Institute in 1984. He worked for Weiss Building Supply Company for a number of years and retired from the City of Perry after 17 years of service. He also served in the United States Army and worked as an artillery specialist (SP-4). He retired as a disabled veteran.

Willie James was ushered into the presence of His Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018. Although his time here with us seemed much too brief, God only takes the best.

He is survived by: his devoted wife, Lessie Mae Gent; two sons, Cherico Gentez Gent of Perry and Clifford Johnson Jr. (April) of Ft. Meade; two daughters, Theresa Mickens Ross (Derrick) of Perry and Diane Hall (Jon) of Riverdale, Ga.; four brothers, Lewis Love (Christine), the Rev. Ernest Gent of Perry, Henry Lee Gent (Althea) of St. Petersburg and Ronald Moore (Eva) of Live Oak; two sisters, Lillie Mae Gent of Perry and Jo Ann Nelson of Tampa; four sisters-in-law, Carolyn Glenn of Fayetteville, N.C., Jacqueline Gent of Gainesville, Barbara Gent and Willie E. Johnson of Perry; grandchildren, Cha’kia Bailey, Cherico and Nash Gent of Perry; Lukas Hall of Riverdale, Ga., Clifford III and Kourtney Johnson of Orlando; Zavier and Cailyn Johnson of Ft. Meade and Demaria Johnson of Lakeland; special and dear friends, the New Brooklyn Church family, Jerry and Vickie Brannen and Sister Mary Turnage. He is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, several great-grandchildren and loving friends.

Willie James was preceded in death by his parents and four of his siblings, Willie “Bubba” Gent, Ruby Lee Austin, Deacon Charles Gent and Lester Evans.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m., at New Brooklyn Missionary Baptist Church. Interment was held Monday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m., at the Tallahassee National Cemetery in Tallahassee.

Evans Walker Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.