Helen Louise Gentry of Wimberley passed away on Monday, April 5, 2021, at 69 years old. She was born January 26, 1952 in Harlingen, Texas to Burt and Laverne (Barton) Gentry.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and is survived by one sister, Melinda Barnett, nieces Kimberly Taylor and Alicia Montgomery, and great-nephews, Sylvester Wilson, Loki Wilson and Forrest Deroulette. She is also survived by her beloved dog, Winston.
Helen was a journalism major who earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas in Austin. She also had a lifelong passion for Chinese history. A voracious reader on the subject, she was one of the very first westerners to visit modern China after the State visit by Nixon and Kissinger in 1972. When she made the trip in 1974, Americans were still an object of curiosity since the vast majority of Chinese residents had never seen a westerner, particularly in remote rural areas. She had a successful career as a realtor in Austin from 1981-1997 until her retirement. Helen moved to Wimberley in 2001 where she lived for 20 years until her recent passing.
