Obituary of Emily Ruth Kentner

Emily Ruth Kentner 88 of Ocala, Florida was born on December 28, 1934 in Ocala at her family home on Magnolia Ave and passed away on November 30, 2023.

Emily was born in Ocala and loved to tell stories of growing up with her siblings on Magnolia Ave. Emily was Baptized, Confirmed and Married in Grace Episcopal Church and spent much of her youth singing in the choir and serving. Singing remained a large part of Emily’s life, from childhood she transitioned to singing engagements. Later she would become president of her local chapter of Sweet Adelines the women’s barbershop organization. Emily was an entrepreneur starting several cosmetology businesses and later worked with her husband Jim in Gattle’s, their family business for over 30 years. Her creativity was not limited to singing and playing the piano. She loved all creative things, painting, sewing, intricate crafts, always involved in doing artistic arranging to make a house a home. She never met a stranger and was fast friends to all who met her. She loved her family deeply and was everyone’s greatest cheerleader. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents Brittan H. and Rebecca Pearl Sanders, sisters, Mildred Duaine Baggerly, Francis Younge, Sarah McFarland and her brothers, Richard Sanders, and Hunter Sanders.

Emily is survived by her husband of 48 years James Edward Kentner of Ocala Florida, son Mark and his wife Stepanie Kentner of Waco Texas, grandchildren, Ryan Alexander of Southern Pines North Carolina, Victoria Nicole of Waco Texas, Britain James of Kapolei Hawaii, Christian Jacob of Dallas Texas, Bethany Faith of Waco Texas and Ethan Donovan Kentner of Waco Texas. Emily’s five great grandchildren from Ryan and his wife Paige, Selah Henley, Mia Paisley and Clara Blakely Rose and from Britain and his wife Jenny, Clarke Lane and Miles Beckett.

A visitation will be held from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services 910 SE Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, Florida 34470. Funeral Services will be held December 8, 2023 at 10:00 am at Grace Episcopal Church 503 SE Broadway St, Ocala, FL 34471. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.