WILLIAM SHERMAN GENTLE (32.3.5.3) is the son of Thomas Milton Gentle and Geneva Julia (Wininger) Gentle.  Bill was born on July 27, 1865.  On August 17, 1884, Bill Gentle married Nancy Ann Hastings in Jackson County, Alabama.  William Gentle was the father of at least four children:

   Bertha Gentle, b. April, 1889
   Jeremiah Gentle (32.3.5.3.2), b. March 4, 1891, Jackson County, Alabama
   Sallie June Gentle (twin), b. July, 1892
   Fannie Lou Ella Gentle (twin), b. July, 1892

William Gentle died prior to 1922.  William and Nancy Gentle were buried in the Gentle Cemetery near Lim Rock, Alabama.  Bertha Gentle married Hick O’Neal.  As of 1922, Bertha (Gentle) O’Neal was living in Lim Rock, Alabama.

Sallie Gentle married Henry Swearingen and they have two daughters:  -  Ruby Swearingen,  -  Julie Swearingen.  As of 1922, Sallie (Gentle) Swearingen was living in Lim Rock, Alabama.  Ruby Swearingen married Claude Woosley.  For additional information on the descendants of Claude and Ruby Woosley, see the sketch of Claude Woosley (15.11.3.1).  Julie Swearingen married Virgil Pockrus.  Lou Ella Gentle married Horace Shelton.  For additional information on the descendants of Horace and Lou Ella Shelton, see the sketch of Horace Shelton (1.5.2.1.6).

References:  1)  Will Book 12, Pages 28 - 31, Jackson County, Alabama, 1922;  2)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986;  3)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, October, 1986;  4)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, January, 1987

JEREMIAH GENTLE (32.3.5.3.2) is the son of William Sherman Gentle and Nancy Ann (Hastings) Gentle.  Jeremiah was born on March 4, 1891 in Jackson County, Alabama.  On September 18, 1909, Jeremiah Gentle married Esther Harrison in Jackson County, Alabama.  Esther was born on August 20, 1890 in Alabama and is the daughter of Levi Harrison and Annie (Shook) Harrison.  Jeremiah and Esther Gentle were the parents of twelve children:

   Mable Ossie Gentle (32.3.5.3.2.1), b. January 13, 1911, Jackson Co., Alabama
   Flora Gentle, b. September 22, 1913, Jackson County, Alabama
   Willie Gentle, b. April 10, 1915, Jackson County, Alabama
   Cora Lee Gentle (32.3.5.3.2.4), b. March 7, 1916, Jackson County, Alabama
   Pauline Gentle, b. January 6, 1919, Jackson County, Alabama
   Kathleel Gentle, b. November 24, 1921
   Louise Gentle, b. January 8, 1923
   Ola Gentle (twin), b. November 21, 1925
   Vola Gentle (twin), b. November 21, 1925
   Bradford Gentle
   Dewey Sanford Gentle, b. July 24, 1927
   Eloise Gentle, b. March 1, 1929

In 1920, Jeremiah and Esther Gentle were living in Jackson County, Alabama.  Jeremiah Gentle died on March 24, 1962 in Lim Rock, Alabama.  Jeremiah and Esther Gentle were buried in the Gentle Cemetery near Lim Rock, Alabama.  Flora Gentle married Jesse Preston.  Flora married a second time to Dea Neely and a third time to Ervin Arthur.  Willie Gentle married J. T. Stewart.  Cora Lee Gentle married J. Houston Gray.  For additional information on the descendants of Houston and Cora Gray, see the sketch of J. Houston Gray (1.5.6.4.2).

Pauline Gentle married Bobby Thompson.  Pauline (Gentle) Thompson died in Dallas, Texas and was buried there.  Kathleel Gentle married Wesley Sparkman.  Louise Gentle married Thomas Buford Elledge, son of Pearl Elledge.  Buford and Louise Elledge were the parents of two children:  -  Terriaca Elledge,  -  Tommy Elledge.  Terriaca married and had one son.  Terriaca was killed in car accident in 1984 and her son is being raised by her brother, Tommy.  Louise now lives alone in Huntsville, Alabama.  Ola Gentle married Roy Shafer.  Vola Gentle married Luther Richie.  Bradford Gentle died as a result of a snake bite on July 12, 1937.  On February 8, 1947, Sanford Gentle married Audrey Saint in Jackson County, Alabama.  Audrey is the daughter of Elige Saint and Ada (Batey) Saint.  Eloise Gentle married Douglas Saint.

References:  1)  1920 Census, Jackson County, Alabama;  2)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986;  3)  Family Group Sheet by Mary (Gentle) Dean, August, 1986;  4)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, October, 1986

MABLE OSSIE GENTLE (32.3.5.3.2.1) is the daughter of Jeremiah Gentle and Esther (Harrison) Gentle.  Ossie was born on January 13, 1911 in Jackson County, Alabama.  On August 3, 1929, Ossie Gentle married John Frank Smith in Jackson County, Alabama.  John was born on April 10, 1902 in Jackson County, Alabama and is the son of James Smith and Kate (Oneal) Smith.  Frank and Ossie Smith had about ten children:

   Katie Smith, b. May 31, 1930
   Charles Erskine Smith, b. December 23, 1931
   Jimmie Smith, b. March, 1933
   Myrtle Smith, b. July 12, 1934
   Raymond Smith, b. December 7, 1938
   Cecil Smith, b. May 8, 1940
   Earl Smith, b. January 1, 1942
   Rayford Smith, b. October 11, 1944
   Faye Smith, b. June 4, 1946
   Linda Smith, b. January 17, 1948

Frank Smith died on August 27, 1966 and was buried in the Gentle Cemetery near Lim Rock, Alabama.  Ossie now lives in the Harvest, Alabama area.  Katie Smith married James Wilson.  Charles Smith married Mary Collins.  Jimmie Smith died as an infant in June of 1933.  Myrtle Smith married John Keyes.  Raymond Smith died in 1955.  Cecil Smith married Barbra Summerford.  Earl Smith married Christine Wilson.  Rayford Smith married Peggy Anders.  Faye Smith married Neil Dejohn.  Linda Smith married Curtis Griers.

References:  1)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986;  2)  Family Group Sheet by Mary (Gentle) Dean, August, 1986

ELIJAH GENTLE (32.3.5.4) is the son of Thomas Milton Gentle and Julia Elizabeth (Wininger) Gentle.  Elijah was born on January 28, 1871.  Elijah Gentle married Nancy Emma Johnson (born in Tennessee).  Elijah and Emma Gentle were the parents of at least three children:

   Walter Van Gentle (32.3.5.4.1), b. April, 1894, Alabama
   Sadie Belle Gentle (32.3.5.4.2), b. May 18, 1896, Alabama
   William Arthur Gentle, b. August, 1898, Alabama

Elijah Gentle died between 1898 and 1900.  In 1900, Nancy (Johnson) Gentle was living in Jackson County, Alabama.  Sadie Belle Gentle married James William Benton “Bent” Latham.  For additonal information on the descendants of Bent and Sadie Latham, see the sketch of James William Benton “Bent” Latham (15.12.1.2).  Arthur Gentle married Alice Arnold.  Arthur and Alice Gentle have no children and live in Scottsboro, Alabama.

References:  1)  1900 Census, Jackson County, Alabama;  2)  Will Book 12, Pages 28-31, Jackson County, Alabama, 1922;  3)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986

WALTER VAN GENTLE (32.3.5.4.1) is the son of Elijah Gentle and Emma (Johnson) Gentle.  Walter was born in April of 1894 in Alabama.  On February 2, 1913, Walter Gentle married Luendy Rousseau in Jackson County, Alabama.  Luendy was born in 1897 and is the daughter of Dave Rousseau.  Walter and Luendy Gentle were the parents of eight children:

   Bradford Lee Gentle, b. June 9, 1912
   Elijah David Gentle, b. November 12, 1915
   Granvil Gentle, b. February 22, 1919
   Sylvia Elizabeth Gentle, b. October 14, 1921
   Hazel A. Gentle (32.3.5.4.1.5), b. June 23, 1923
   Lydia Ann Gentle, b. August 20, 1925
   Willie V. Gentle, b. September 5, 1929
   Helen Katherine Gentle, b. April 10, 1930

Walter Gentle died in 1945 and Luendy (Rousseau) Gentle died in 1958.  On July 8, 1937, Elijah David “Red” Gentle married Margaret Opal Tucker in Jackson County, Alabama.  Opal is the daughter of W. G. Tucker.  Elijah and Opal Gentle have three children:  -  Dorothy Lee Gentle, b. June 18, 1938,  -  Bobby Ray Gentle, b. May 7, 1940,  -  Laurie Margaret Gentle.  Dorothy Gentle married a Mr. Smith and they have two children:  -  Stanley James Smith,  -  Stacy Smith.  Dorothy married a second time to Eugene Churchman.  Bobby Ray Gentle married Dianne Garner and they have two children:  -  Bobby Ray Gentle, Jr.,  -  Dianne Gentle.  Laurie Gentle married Dwight Roberts and they have one daughter:  -  Laurie Lee Roberts.

Granvil Gentle married Clara B. Stewart (born April 3, 1922).  Granvil and Clara Gentle had one daughter.  Clara died suddenly on July 1, 1942.  Granvil became very depressed and took his own life on August 23, 1942.  On April 27, 1940, Hazel Gentle married Leon Lusk.  For addtional information on the descendants of Leon and Hazel Lusk, see the sketch of Leon Lusk (1.5.5.9.4).  Lydia Ann Gentle married Walter Johnson.

References:  1)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986;  2)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, October, 1986;  3)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, January, 1987

DAVID MILTON GENTLE (32.3.5.5) is the son of Thomas Milton Gentle and Julia Elizabeth (Wininger) Gentle.  David was born on September 18, 1873 in Jackson County, Alabama.  On September 7, 1893, David Gentle married Minerva Isabelle Sims (1.5.6.6) in Jackson County, Alabama.  Isabelle was born in June of 1878 in Alabama and is the daughter of Eldrige Sims and Susan Jane (Shelton) Sims.  David and Isabelle Gentle were the parents of five children:

   Infant, b. Jackson County, Alabama, died at birth
   Dovie Gentle, b. September, 1896, Jackson County, Alabama
   Thomas M. Gentle (32.3.5.5.3), b. May 7, 1899, Jackson County, Alabama
   Clara Luverna Gentle, b. 1902, Jackson County, Alabama
   William G. Gentle (32.3.5.5.5), b. September 18, 1904, Jackson County, Alabama

In 1900, David and Manerva Gentle were living in Jackson County, Alabama.  David Milton Gentle died in December of 1904 and Minerva Isabelle (Sims) Gentle died in 1910.  Both were buried in an unmarked graves in the Gold Cemetery.  After their deaths, Thomas Mathew Gentle was raised by his uncle, Jerimiah Gentle.  Clara Gentle was raised by her uncle, Jasper Gentle.  William Grady Gentle was raised by his aunt, Laura (Sims) Gray.

Dovie Gentle burned to death at the age of five.  As of 1922, Martha Gentle, Grady Gentle and Clara Gentle were living in Lim Rock, Alabama.  Clara Gentle never married.  Clara Gentle died in November of 1939 and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Gold Cemetery.

References:  1)  1900 Census, Jackson County, Alabama;  2)  Will Book 12, Pages 28-31, Jackson County, Alabama, 1922;  3)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986

THOMAS MATHEW GENTLE (32.3.5.5.3) is the son of David Milton Gentle and Minervia Isabelle (Sims) Gentle.  Mathew was born on May 7, 1899 in Jackson County, Alabama.  On December 24, 1927, Mathew Gentle married Irene McCormack in Jackson County, Alabama.  Irene was born on June 20, 1911 in Jackson County, Alabama and is the daughter of Lewis McCormack and Bessie (Berry) McCormack.  Irene’s brother, Grady McCormack, married Thomas’ cousin, Bessie Mae Gentle (32.2.5.6.9).  Mathew and Irene Gentle were the parents of two children:

   Vivian Estell Gentle (32.3.5.5.3.1), b. May 28, 1929
   Thomas Lloyd Gentle, b. March 22, 1932

Thomas Mathew Gentle died on July 3, 1984 in Mississippi and was buried in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Scottsboro, Alabama.  Thomas Lloyd Gentle was killed on June 4, 1952 in a car accident in Mississippi along with one of his cousins.  Both were buried side by side in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Scottsboro, Alabama.  Both were never married.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986

VIVIAN ESTELL GENTLE (32.3.5.5.3.1) is the daughter of Thomas Mathew Gentle and Irene (McCormack) Gentle.  Vivian was born on May 28, 1929.  On July 4, 1946, Vivian Gentle married James Michael in Madison County, Alabama and they are the parents of four children:

   Patricia Diana Michael, b. August 10, 1947, Jackson County, Alabama
   Teddy Dwight Michael, b. December 20, 1952, Jackson County, Alabama
   Deborah Drucella Michael, b. December 8, 1955, Jackson County, Alabama
   Mellissa Yvonne Michael, b. February 16, 1956, Jackson County, Alabama

On July 16, 1967, Patricia Michael married Howard Ivy in Jackson County, Alabama and they have three children:  -  infant (died at birth),  -  Hope Elizabeth Ivy, b. March 26, 1968 in Jackson County, Alabama,  -  Benjamin Ivy, b. October 17, 1974.  On June 2, 1971, Teddy Michael married Ann Brandon (32.6.5.5.5.3.3).  Ann was born on March 31, 1954 and is the daughter of William O. Brandon and Ozell (Dolberry) Brandon.  Teddy and Ann Michael have one child:  -  Jamie Michael, b. January 14, 1978.  Deborah Michael married Tommy Davis and they have two children:  -  Kimberly Diane Davis, b. June 9, 1976,  -  Christopher Davis, b. October 13, 1979.  Mellissa Michael married Dave Hermmis and they have no children.

Reference:  1)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986

WILLIAM GRADY GENTLE (32.3.5.5.5) is the son of David Milton Gentle and Minervia Isabelle (Sims) Gentle.  Grady was born on September 18, 1904 in Jackson County, Alabama.  On December 15, 1923, Grady Gentle married Effie C. Frazier (1.5.5.5.4).  Effie was born on February 12, 1906 in Jackson County, Alabama and is the daughter of Albert Samuel Frazier and Mary Manoah (Shelton) Frazier.  Grady and Effie Gentle were the parents of four children:

   Lois Katherine Gentle, b. August 10, 1925, Lim Rock, Alabama
   Kenneth Gentle, b. November 10, 1926, Lim Rock, Alabama
   Mary Belle Gentle, b. September 21, 1930, Lim Rock, Alabama
   Doris Anne Gentle, b. July 7, 1941, Lim Rock, Alabama

William Grady Gentle died on January 23, 1968 and Effie (Frazier) Gentle died on August 11, 1983.  Both were buried in the Peters Cove Cemetery near Woodville, Alabama.  Lois Gentle never married.  Lois Gentle died on September 5, 1949 and was buried in the Peters Cove Cemetery near Woodville, Alabama.

On June 4, 1949, Kenneth Gentle married Doris Evelyn Mullins in Rossville, Georgia.  Kenneth and Doris Gentle live in Huntsville, Alabama.  Kenneth and Doris Gentle have three sons:  -  Kenneth Larry Gentle, b. September 25, 1950,  -  Darryl Dwain Gentle, b. October 1, 1953,  -  Glen Joel Gentle, b. January 8, 1955.  On September 9, 1973, Kenneth Larry Gentle married Nanita Marie Crabtree.  Nanita was born on February 16, 1951 and is the daughter of Laverne Crabtree.  Kenneth and Nanita Gentle live in Huntsville, Alabama and they have one son:  -  Kevin Lane Gentle, b. March 1, 1976.  On June 14, 1975, Darryl Gentle married Kathy Jo Swain and they have one daughter:  -  Stacy Leigh Gentle, b. June 18, 1976.  Joel Gentle married Rhonda Parsons.  Rhonda was born on November 11, 1957 and is the daughter of Meritta Parsons.  Joel and Rhonda Gentle have one daughter:  -  Megan Elizabeth Gentle, b. May 20, 1984.

On March 1, 1947, Mary Belle Gentle married Murray Edward Dean in Huntsville, Alabama.  Murray and Mary Dean have one daughter:  -  Myra Paulette Dean, b. January 28, 1948.  On June 30, 1967, Myra Dean married Jerry Lynn Keel.  Jerry was born on May 8, 1946 and is the son of Nathan Keel and Margaret (Stephens) Keel.  Jerry and Myra Keel have two daughters:  -  Jamie Lynn Keel, b. March 7, 1973,  -  Anna Marie Keel, b. April 16, 1976.

On September 3, 1957, Doris Anne Gentle married Wayne Everett Lassister in Iuka, Mississippi.  Wayne and Doris Lassister have three children:  -  Lori Anne Lassister, b. December 31, 1958,  -  Steve Lassister, b. July 13, 1961,  -  Terri Lynn Lassister, b. November 8, 1962.  Wayne and Doris Lassister were divorced in 1973.  On February 6, 1976, Doris married a second time to William Hubert McCormick.  William and Doris were divorced on February 6, 1984.  On September 4, 1976, Lori Lassister married Earl Wise Garner and they have two children:  -  Adam Earl Garner, b. April 3, 1981,  -  Scott Wayne Garner, b. July 13, 1983.  In August of 1984, Steve Lassister married Cynthia Fowler and they have one daughter:  -  Amanda Leigh Lassister, b. March 4, 1985.  On May 20, 1983, Terri Lynn “Heidi” Lassister married Ricardo Fucearelli (from Detroit, Michigan) in Panama City, Florida.  Ricardo and Heidi have no children.

References:  1)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, February 4, 1986;  2)  Letter, Mary (Gentle) Dean to Robert Casey, October, 1986