Julie Gentry-Michaels

Obituaries

Wednesday, 31 August 2022 08:10

Julie Buko Gentry-Michaels, of Scottsboro, passed from this earthly world to join our father in heaven on Monday, August 22, 2022. Graveside services were held on Friday, August 26, 2022 at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Born in Pennsylvania, Julie moved to Scottsboro with her family at the age of 12, where she remained to raise her family and surrounded herself with the wonderful people she met and loved. To know Julie was to love her as she always had a smile on her face that was contagious. She was an elementary teacher for 28 years, during which time she taught at Dutton and Caldwell Elementary. Her love of children did not end upon her retirement; she continued to be an active and loving presence for the children of Scottsboro as the director for the Mother’s Day Out Program at Scottsboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Her passion for children and education also led her to serve as a member of the board for Scottsboro City Schools and to teach children art over the past 20 years.

Julie loved nothing more than to spend her days working in her yard, surrounded by her flowers and settle in at night with her many pets she held so dear. She loved Scottsboro and always strove to give back to her community as a member of the Scottsboro Women’s League, and later through her work with the Downtown Scottsboro Committee, where she planted flowers around the square, painted a beautiful mural and decorated for the holidays.

She had a strong relationship with the Lord and prior to her death, she enjoyed attending Sunday services at Goose Pond Scottsboro Presbyterian Church. She was always laughing, smiling and happy, always working to make the world around her a little better. Julie always offered a helping hand to those in need, was always loving to anyone she met, and she lived life to its absolute fullest. She loved to travel, attend concerts, explore new restaurants, and most of all, she loved relaxing at the beach as much as possible and reading a good book.

She will be missed more than words can say. She has left behind many friends, fellow teachers and former students. Julie always looked to God for guidance. The world will be a little less beautiful without her in it. Heaven has certainly gained a wonderful angel. She was always unwavering in her belief that she would be with God when she was one day called home.

She is survived by her loving husband, Scott Michaels; daughters, Nancy (John) Gattis, Mary Gentry, Gini Michaels; son, Harrison Michaels; brothers, Steve (Diana) Buko, Stephen, Morgan, Spencer, Randy Buko, Mara, Mya and Riley; nephew, Gentry Benson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Gentry; parents, Nancy and Steve Buko; grandparents, Geraldine and Wilber Bibbee, Mary and Louis Buko.

“It’s never too late to live happily ever after.”