Venora Gentry
O Fallon | Save
Venora V. Gentry (nee Cross), 74, of O’Fallon, IL, born on January 24, 1952, in Greenwood, MS, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL.
Venora graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School in E. St. Louis, IL and attended Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL.
Venora worked for Illinois Power as a Meter Maid. She spent the majority of her career as a cook working at Aurora Public School District in Aurora, CO, The Officer’s Club and NCO Club at Scott AFB, IL, and Gateway Rehabilitation Center in Caseyville, IL. After retiring from Gateway, she volunteered her culinary skills at First Baptist Church O’Fallon where she planned and prepared meals for Senior Luncheons and Meals of Love. She often catered for special events at the church when there was a need. She also assisted her daughter with meal prep for the weekly Young Adults Thursday night Life Group.
Venora loved God and enjoyed learning more about the Lord in her Life Group and home studies. She was honest in her faith-walk and shared what wisdom she gleaned. She was determined in life and loved her family, blood related and those she’d unofficially adopted in.
Venora loved reading, gardening, putting together jigsaw puzzles, experimenting with recipes, and caring for animals.
Venora was married to her first husband, Ernest S. Dorsey, Jr., in 1970. He preceded her in death in 1975. She married Bobby R. Gentry on April 7, 2007, after a long, adventurous courtship which started in 1989.
Venora was preceded in death by her parents, Timothy and Lillie Cross (nee McGee); brothers, Robert L. Cross, Othell Cross; niece, Artania Hall; mother-in-law, Fannie Mae Maxwell; father-in-law, Willie Maxwell; and brother-in-law, Ira Gentry Sr.
Left to cherish Venora’s memory are her beloved husband, Bobby Gentry of O’Fallon, IL; two children, Tammika Dorsey-Jones of O’Fallon, IL, Sean (Nicole L.) Dorsey of Greenville, SC; two sisters, Janice Hall of Fairview Heights, IL, Evelyn Cross of Belleville, IL; three siblings-in-law, James Gentry, Geraldine Cross, Kecia Cross (Othell); four grandchildren, Anthony Jones, Teyla Jones, Isabella Dorsey, Elijah Dorsey; five nieces, Yvette Pete (Ben), Elisha Dobbins, Ja’Net Cross, Katina Cross, and Virginia Merchant (Del); five nephews, Russel Cross (Sandra), Ramon Woody, Darian Stennis, James Gentry Jr., and Ira Gentry; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Memorial donations may be made in Venora’s name to the Belleville Area Humane Society; https://bahspets.org, or to First Baptist Church O’Fallon; https://fbcofallon.org/give. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.schildknechtfh.com.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church O’Fallon; 1111 E. Hwy 50, O’Fallon, IL 62269.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church O’Fallon; 1111 E. Hwy 50, O’Fallon, IL 62269.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home.
Schildknecht Funeral Home
