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Ray Gene Groce
November 25, 1927 -
August 23, 2017

Visitation

August 25, 2017
5:00 until 8:00 PM

Service 

August 26, 2017
10:00 AM

Interment

Obituary

Ray Gene Groce, age 89, of Fayetteville, TN, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2017 at Donalson Nursing Home. Gene was born to the late Robert and Lula Groce on November 25, 1927. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Groce; son, Tony Groce (Dianne); daughters Sandra Smith (Jerry) and Teresa Reese; and sister, Peggy Bevels. He was a proud and loving grandfather to seven grandchildren, Nicole Treola (Danny), Kevin Reese (Ashley), Kristopher Smith (Kelly), Jeffrey Groce (Cara), Brandon Groce (Danielle), Bethany Reese, and Mary Beth Goode (Jason) and sixteen great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two of his siblings, Jewell Mcnatt and Glen Groce.

Gene was a partner in Lincoln Paving, LLC and Secretary of Lincoln Road Builders, Inc.. He loved his work and saw incredible growth in the Lincoln County roads over his lifetime. He helped transform Huntsville Highway and Highway 64. Gene continued to inspire others with his work ethic until his last days. He enjoyed his time on the Bank of Lincoln County Board of Directors and on the Lincoln County Board of Public Utilities.

Gene was a member and retired elder of the Mimosa Church of Christ. He loved spending time with his church family and enjoyed watching the growth of his community worship center.

The family will receive friends in celebration of his life on Friday, August 25, 2017 from 5 to 8 PM at Higgins Funeral Home and the funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 10 AM at Higgins Funeral Home. The service will be officiated by Mr. James D. West of Nashville, TN and Mr. Will Martin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or Junior’s House at 704 W. Maple Street, Fayetteville, TN 37334.

Video Services

26 Comments

  1. Don McAlister

    Joyce,
    So sorry of Gene’s passing. He was a good friend and although we did not see much of each other, I remember his pleasant personality.

    Reply
  2. Debbie Motes

    I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Mr. Gene was a wonderful Godly man who loved the Lord and his family. He was so kind to everyone and I know he will be with Jesus in Paradise until the rest of his family meets him there.

    Reply
  3. Linda and William Ellis

    Joyce, Tony and family, Sandra and family, Teresa and family, we are so sorry to here of Gene’s passing he was a good man and loved his family very much he will be missed by all. family and friends, our prayers go with all of you through this hard times. God bless .

    Reply
  4. Lesa and Bill Hodge

    Teresa, I’m so sorry about the loss of your daddy; no matter how old you are, it’s a hard one. Thoughts & prayers – Lesa

    Reply
  5. Lesa M Hodge

    Teresa, I’m so sorry about the loss of your daddy. No matter how old you are, that loss is always especially painful. Thoughts & prayers – Lesa

    Reply
  6. TommyScott

    Mr. Tony, Brandon,Jeffery,Chris I’m so sorry for you and all the family’s loss Mr. Gene will be dearly missed and may god be with all of you all at this time of heartache there is another Angel in heaven now you and your family will be in our prayers at this time he will never be forgotten.

    Reply
  7. Dennie & Betty Jo Massey

    Joyce ,Tony, Sandra and Teresa May God Be With You And Your Family .In The Loss Of Your Love One. We Have You In Our Prayers

    Reply
  8. Melissa Dunman

    Dear Mrs.Joyce and children.
    I am sorry for the passing of Mr. Groce. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  9. Audrey Groce King

    Mr. Tony and Mrs. Dianne,
    I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Gene will be greatly missed. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  10. Debbielogan

    To the family….mr gene will be missed by many. He did so much to help others. With deepest sympathy in the loss of mr gene….

    Reply
  11. Susan Brooks and Family

    My love and prayers are with the family. When one lives in so many hearts of those left behind….one never dies. Let the beautiful memories forever live in your hearts.

    Reply
  12. Robert and Judy Strope

    Bethany,
    We are so sad to hear about your Grandfather. Gene will will be missed by so many people. Prayers for you and all your family.

    Reply
  13. Dean and Sallyann Storer

    Prayers for all the Groce family in this time of loss . So sorry to hear of Mr. Gene’s passing

    Reply
  14. The Billy Joe Rutledge Family

    We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.

    Reply
  15. Anne Beddingfield

    I extend my deepest. Condolences to the family.

    Rest In Peace.

    Reply
  16. Linda F. Williams

    I am so sorry for your loss. He was loved by everyone. I visited with him recently at Donalson. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.

    Reply
  17. Bill Parsons

    Mr. Gene did so much for Fayetteville and Lincoln County and will be missed. He was a great man.

    Reply
  18. Stacy Johnson

    I wouldn’t know where to start or how to stop talking about what Gene has meant to me through the years. I’ve loved him like a Granddaddy ever since I was born. The legacy he leaves is because of the life he lived. Selfishly I will miss him, but boy is he ever in a better place, and for that, I’m more than a little jealous. I’d like to thank his family for sharing him with us!

    Reply
  19. cindy britton

    sandra,tony,and teresa i always enjoyed spending time in your home when we were growing up,because of the love your mother and father extended to me.will miss seeing mr gene out and about and i will always appreciate how you all treated eddie. love cindy b.

    Reply
  20. Robin Shelton

    Mr. Gene holds a very special place in our hearts. He was the perfect example of what a kind, caring, and helpful man should be. I know he will be missed by many who like Bill and myself, are so proud to have known him.

    Reply
  21. Walter & Mary Wright

    My husband and I always enjoyed talking with him. We first met at Mimosa Church of Christ. We attended the gospel meeting there this year and we looked for him and we were told that he was sick. We will miss him dearly. My GOD BLESS THE FAMILY AS ONLY HE CAN.

    Reply
  22. Kay Brewer

    So sorry for your loss. Mr Gene was a good man and loved his family. Joyce, you will find peace because Mr. Gene was a good christian man, and you know where he is.

    Reply
  23. Jimmy and Diane Buchanan

    To the Family,

    Mr. Gene was one of the most respected and loved individuals in our community. He will be sorely missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.

    Reply
  24. Linda Moran

    Ms. Joyce, Tony, Sandra and Teresa,
    I am so very sorry to hear about Mr. Gene. My thoughts and prayers are with you and for the coming days.

    Reply
  25. Tony and Lereca Swinford, Dewayna and Phil Shelton

    We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.

    Reply
  26. Nickie and Kathy

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the family…Mr.Gene will be missed by many..

    Reply

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Memories

26 Comments

  1. Don McAlister

    Joyce,
    So sorry of Gene’s passing. He was a good friend and although we did not see much of each other, I remember his pleasant personality.

    Reply
  2. Debbie Motes

    I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Mr. Gene was a wonderful Godly man who loved the Lord and his family. He was so kind to everyone and I know he will be with Jesus in Paradise until the rest of his family meets him there.

    Reply
  3. Linda and William Ellis

    Joyce, Tony and family, Sandra and family, Teresa and family, we are so sorry to here of Gene’s passing he was a good man and loved his family very much he will be missed by all. family and friends, our prayers go with all of you through this hard times. God bless .

    Reply
  4. Lesa and Bill Hodge

    Teresa, I’m so sorry about the loss of your daddy; no matter how old you are, it’s a hard one. Thoughts & prayers – Lesa

    Reply
  5. Lesa M Hodge

    Teresa, I’m so sorry about the loss of your daddy. No matter how old you are, that loss is always especially painful. Thoughts & prayers – Lesa

    Reply
  6. TommyScott

    Mr. Tony, Brandon,Jeffery,Chris I’m so sorry for you and all the family’s loss Mr. Gene will be dearly missed and may god be with all of you all at this time of heartache there is another Angel in heaven now you and your family will be in our prayers at this time he will never be forgotten.

    Reply
  7. Dennie & Betty Jo Massey

    Joyce ,Tony, Sandra and Teresa May God Be With You And Your Family .In The Loss Of Your Love One. We Have You In Our Prayers

    Reply
  8. Melissa Dunman

    Dear Mrs.Joyce and children.
    I am sorry for the passing of Mr. Groce. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  9. Audrey Groce King

    Mr. Tony and Mrs. Dianne,
    I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Gene will be greatly missed. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  10. Debbielogan

    To the family….mr gene will be missed by many. He did so much to help others. With deepest sympathy in the loss of mr gene….

    Reply
  11. Susan Brooks and Family

    My love and prayers are with the family. When one lives in so many hearts of those left behind….one never dies. Let the beautiful memories forever live in your hearts.

    Reply
  12. Robert and Judy Strope

    Bethany,
    We are so sad to hear about your Grandfather. Gene will will be missed by so many people. Prayers for you and all your family.

    Reply
  13. Dean and Sallyann Storer

    Prayers for all the Groce family in this time of loss . So sorry to hear of Mr. Gene’s passing

    Reply
  14. The Billy Joe Rutledge Family

    We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.

    Reply
  15. Anne Beddingfield

    I extend my deepest. Condolences to the family.

    Rest In Peace.

    Reply
  16. Linda F. Williams

    I am so sorry for your loss. He was loved by everyone. I visited with him recently at Donalson. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.

    Reply
  17. Bill Parsons

    Mr. Gene did so much for Fayetteville and Lincoln County and will be missed. He was a great man.

    Reply
  18. Stacy Johnson

    I wouldn’t know where to start or how to stop talking about what Gene has meant to me through the years. I’ve loved him like a Granddaddy ever since I was born. The legacy he leaves is because of the life he lived. Selfishly I will miss him, but boy is he ever in a better place, and for that, I’m more than a little jealous. I’d like to thank his family for sharing him with us!

    Reply
  19. cindy britton

    sandra,tony,and teresa i always enjoyed spending time in your home when we were growing up,because of the love your mother and father extended to me.will miss seeing mr gene out and about and i will always appreciate how you all treated eddie. love cindy b.

    Reply
  20. Robin Shelton

    Mr. Gene holds a very special place in our hearts. He was the perfect example of what a kind, caring, and helpful man should be. I know he will be missed by many who like Bill and myself, are so proud to have known him.

    Reply
  21. Walter & Mary Wright

    My husband and I always enjoyed talking with him. We first met at Mimosa Church of Christ. We attended the gospel meeting there this year and we looked for him and we were told that he was sick. We will miss him dearly. My GOD BLESS THE FAMILY AS ONLY HE CAN.

    Reply
  22. Kay Brewer

    So sorry for your loss. Mr Gene was a good man and loved his family. Joyce, you will find peace because Mr. Gene was a good christian man, and you know where he is.

    Reply
  23. Jimmy and Diane Buchanan

    To the Family,

    Mr. Gene was one of the most respected and loved individuals in our community. He will be sorely missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.

    Reply
  24. Linda Moran

    Ms. Joyce, Tony, Sandra and Teresa,
    I am so very sorry to hear about Mr. Gene. My thoughts and prayers are with you and for the coming days.

    Reply
  25. Tony and Lereca Swinford, Dewayna and Phil Shelton

    We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.

    Reply
  26. Nickie and Kathy

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the family…Mr.Gene will be missed by many..

    Reply

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