Mildred Mae (Dot) McEntire, 99, wife of the late Reverend Don McEntire, passed away peacefully in her sleep around 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at Homestead Hearth Nursing Home in Centerville, PA.
Born in a log cabin near Geneva, PA, she was the daughter of Jerome and Alice Loper Burchfield. She married Don McEntire on July 23, 1936 and he preceded her in death on November 28, 2005. She and Don, a United Methodist pastor, served churches for over 60 years. These churches were, chronologically: Great Valley, NY, for five years; Deckards Run for five years; Little Cooley for two years; Brown Hill for eight years; Jamestown, NY for eight years; Youngsville, PA for eleven years; Economy, PA for four years; Mount Hope, PA for two years; and then returning to Brown Hill, PA for sixteen years.
Mildred is survived by three sons – Robert B. McEntire and his wife, Valerie, of Centerville, PA; Donald P. McEntire and his wife, Carolyn, of Pelzer, SC; and Ronald E. McEntire of Jamestown, NY, as well as a brother – Leonard Burchfield of Carlton, PA. In addition, nine grandchildren survive – Kathy Woods, Julia Parker, Gena Kane, Terry McEntire, Gregory McEntire, Keith McEntire, Jason McEntire, Marina McEntire and Jason (JT) McEntire. There are nine surviving great grandchildren – Blaine, Kelly, Melissa, Joshua, Caleb, Rachel, Ben, Mason and Connor, as well as a great-great-granddaughter – Daelynn.
In addition to her husband, Don McEntire, Mildred was preceded in death by two brothers – Ronald and Victor Burchfield, and a sister – Helen Vernon.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home, 335 Venango Avenue, Cambridge Springs, PA on Monday, Sept. 3 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Brown Hill United Methodist Church, 22742 Wilkie Road, Cambridge Springs, PA on Tuesday, September 4 at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Keith McEntire, grandson of the deceased, will officiate along with Pastor Dave Acker, of the Brown Hill Church. Interment will be at the Rootville Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Brown Hill United Methodist Church.
My wife, daughter and I attended the service for “Dot” and were blessed beyond measure. On the way home to Meadville we both agreed that this service is how we want ours to be! It reminded me of the celebration when my father, Rev. Harold Lyman, went Home in 1980 – lots of music and joy!
I was privileged to serve with Don as fellow pastors in Erie Conference EUB and remember Don’s voice and smile. I also recall the serious look and tone in his voice when he was making an important observation during Annual Conference sessions!
Every memory I have of Dot is with that smile on her face and twinkle in her eye!
Again, thanks for using the occasion of her homegoing to celebrate life – life in Jesus!
What precious memories you will take with you.
Rev and Dot McEntire served at the Brown Hill Church through my childhood. They both will remain in a special place in my heart. I will be forever grateful for their instuctions and patience through those teenage years. We were quite a bunch!
My prayers are with the family.
Thank You………….
Jerri
FUMC Havelock,NC
It was an honor to have Mrs. McEntire visit our Sunday School Class with Don and Carolyn while she lived in South Carolina. She was always such a blessing to us. Her
love for the Lord and her family was always evident. Our prayers are with you all
as you say goodbye and celebrate the life of this faithful precious servant and prayer warrior.
Sallie Stone