Eugene “Gene” Waits, 82, of Fayetteville, passed away March 1, 2016 following a courageous battle against dementia.
Gene was born on August 27, 1933, in Monticello, Georgia to the late Joseph Hubert Waits and the late Ruth Carey Waits. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Barbara James, Shirley Waits, and Edith Jones; brothers, Guy Waits, Hugh Waits, and Carl Waits. He was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served in the Korean War. He also celebrated a long career in the paper and transportation industries. Gene enjoyed NASCAR, collecting vintage Chevy trucks, and never missing a good yard sale.
Gene is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Jeannette, and daughter Joanie (Brian) Ballard; sisters, Madelyn Bryans and Emily (Hayward) Stringfellow; sister-in-law, JoAnn Waits; brother, Jimmy Waits; nieces and nephews; and his beloved Maine Coon, Poe Boy.
A funeral service will take place Sunday, March 6, 2016, at 3 p.m. at the Chapel of Mowell Funeral Home, Fayetteville, with Rev. Jim Hanna officiating. Burial will follow at Inman United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Sunday, from 1-3 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Christian City Memory Care Ward, www.christiancity.org or Pruitt Health Hospice, www.pruitthealth.com/Hospice.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Gene’s in-home caregivers, Janet Collins, RN, and Rachel Patton, as well as their extended family on the 2nd floor at Christian City for making this journey with them.
Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville – www.mowellfuneralhome.com
