Lewis Eugene "Gene" Blackburn, Jr.

LEWIS EUGENE "GENE" BLACKBURN, JR., age 58, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2013. Mr. Blackburn was born on December 14, 1954, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the late Lewis Eugene Blackburn, Sr. and DeLoris Cherry Blackburn. He was a member of Blackshear Place Baptist Church and loved playing with his grandsons. Survivors include his loving wife of 37 years, Carol Blackburn, Gainesville, GA; daughter, Karen Blackburn and her fiancé, Brad Shumake, Gainesville, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Lisa Blackburn, Gainesville, GA; and grandsons, Elijah Blackburn and Colton Blackburn, both of Gainesville, GA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 28, 2013, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia with Rev. Dave Channell officiating. Interment will follow in B.C. Grant Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, January 27, 2013, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Needs Ministry, Blackshear Place Baptist Church, 3428 Atlanta Highway, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542. Those wishing to express online condolences to the Blackburn family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia.