If you look up Bobbie Gentry's story, you'll find that she was far from "some red-neck ignoranus(dumb-ass)". She did grow up poor in Mississippi, but moved to California at 13 and majored in philosophy at UCLA. Ode To Billie Joe was made into a movie in the 70's--don't you want to know (this is what the kids call a "spoiler", but a little late):   "In the movie, the mystery of the title character's suicide is revealed as a part of the conflict between his love for Bobbie Lee Hartley and his emerging homosexuality."

Ode To Billy Joe was certainly her biggest success, but she did have a number of charted songs, mostly covers, in a career that lasted till she retired from performing in 1978. She is also quoted in Wiki as saying (about her 1970 song and album "Fancy"): " 'Fancy' is my strongest statement for women's lib, if you really listen to it. I agree wholeheartedly with that movement and all the serious issues that they stand for — equality, equal pay, day care centers, and abortion rights."

So to sum up, she was from Mississippi and sure had big hair, but don't underestimate her.   

W-O