Rodgers Copelan Gentry

Augusta, GA- Entered into eternal life on Saturday, October 24, 2026, Mr. Rodgers Copelan Gentry, 75, loving and devoted husband to Vicky Gentry, married just months shy of 50 years. They loved to sit on the back porch and enjoy their morning coffee together. They had a love for travel having been to all 50 states and over 20 countries. Love, laughter and their faith in Christ was at the center of their marriage and were a great example to our family.

Rodgers was a lifelong resident of Augusta, GA. Born on February 28, 1951, to the late Miles and Nancy Gentry. He was a charter member of Lumpkin Road Baptist Church, now Legacy Ridge Baptist Church. He became a faithful member of Abilene Baptist Church in 2004. He never missed an opportunity to invite someone to church or to share a gospel tract. Rodgers enjoyed many years teaching Sunday School, Awanas, helping at church camp and assisting with the GA Baptist Disaster Relief. He also enjoyed his Monday golf outings with his golf buddies.

His family was his everything, never thinking anything was better than being called Daddy until he was called Papa. He loved his Lord and Savior, his family, his friends and his church. Family members, in addition to his wife, include his children: Lorie Sinclair (Jared) and Stacy McKenzie (Eddie); grandchildren: Abbi DeLoach (Pablo), Emma DeLoach, Julie Campbell (Ashton), and Matthew McKenzie and siblings: Ronnie Gentry, Jan Foster (Ray) and Caren Worthen (Ken); sister-in-law Janice Collins and brother-in-law Steven Collins (Natalie); along with many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Abilene Baptist Church with Rev. Josh Lancaster. Interment will follow in the Abilene Church cemetery. Pallbearers: Bill Faircloth, Chris Golden, Wayne Swann, Eddie Newsome, Steven Broadwater, & Matthew McKenzie. Honorary pallbearers: Wayne Swann’s Sunday School class and any of the students that he has taught in Sunday School and Awanas through the years.

Memorial contributions may be made to Abilene Baptist Church, 3717 Washington Road, Martinez, GA 30907.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, GA 30907, (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com.