Columbia and Marion County showed up and showed out Saturday as hundreds participated in Gentry Day.
Gentry Terrell, 5, was recently diagnosed with a rare form of inoperable brain cancer, and from a 5K that kicked things off to a womanless beauty pageant, the day was filled with fun and activities in her honor. It was also used to help collect funds for the Terrell family to help with the costs of Gentry’s battle.
“It was overwhelming and great,” Amy Terrell, Gentry’s mother, said. “It’s just overwhelming to see our county come together and support Gentry.”
Rhonda Dykes, a committee member who helped put the celebration together, took to Facebook to express her feelings.
“I’m amazed at how many came out to celebrate Gentry on her special day,” she said. “God had his hands on her and her family. He definitely had his hands on Gentry Day. The last-minute location change was better than the park could have ever been. It turned out to be a great day for all.”
The threat of thunderstorms Saturday had forced organizers to move the event to the Columbia Expo Center and share the event venue with a local rabbit show, but everything went smoothly.
Columbia Mayor Justin McKenzie, himself a part of the womanless beauty pageant, said the turnout overwhelmed him, too. Jordan Whittington, however, earned the title in the pageant ahead of McKenzie and John Henry Berry, mayor of D’Lo and star of TV’s “Small Town, Big Mayor.”
“I can’t explain how proud I am of our community,” McKenzie said. “I believe 26 participated in the womanless beauty pageant and it raised some laughs (as well as money) from everyone. It was amazing seeing everyone take time from their busy schedules to come down and participate.”
Amy Terrell said that since Gentry’s diagnosis the support from the community and beyond has been nothing short of amazing.
“We learned from Day 1 we are not in this alone,” she said. “By just putting it out there and knowing that other people from across our county, state and the nation are praying with us and supporting us wherever we go, we know that we are not alone.
“People that I don’t even know see me in Walmart and tell me they are lifting Gentry up in prayer means so much more than any monetary support.”
Gentry recently finished radiation treatments in New Orleans and the family is “prayerfully considering the next step.”
“She’s doing really will,” Amy said. “We’re looking at several clinical trials, but no decisions have been made. We’re just going to celebrate each day, live life and try to continue on as a normal kindergartener as much as we can.”
And the fun did not stop for her after Gentry Day. This week, Gentry and her family are on a special Disney trip in Florida provided by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Pictured Above: Gentry Terrell smiles while holding hands with her mom, Amy, after arriving in a limo with her family to the Gentry Day celebration Saturday at the Expo Center. Hundreds filled the arena in honor of the young cancer patient. | Photo by Charlie Smith
