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Ray Gene Groce

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.

26 Comments (Open | Close)

26 Comments To "Ray Gene Groce"

#1 Comment By Nickie and Kathy On August 23, 2017 @ 8:11 pm

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

#2 Comment By Tony and Lereca Swinford, Dewayna and Phil Shelton On August 23, 2017 @ 8:23 pm

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

#3 Comment By Linda Moran On August 23, 2017 @ 8:33 pm

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.

#4 Comment By Jimmy and Diane Buchanan On August 23, 2017 @ 8:48 pm

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.

#5 Comment By Kay Brewer On August 23, 2017 @ 9:01 pm

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.

#6 Comment By Walter & Mary Wright On August 23, 2017 @ 9:11 pm

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.

#7 Comment By Robin Shelton On August 23, 2017 @ 9:32 pm

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.

#8 Comment By cindy britton On August 23, 2017 @ 10:42 pm

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.

#9 Comment By Stacy Johnson On August 23, 2017 @ 10:43 pm

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!

#10 Comment By Bill Parsons On August 23, 2017 @ 11:39 pm

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

#11 Comment By Linda F. Williams On August 24, 2017 @ 12:32 am

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.

#12 Comment By Anne Beddingfield On August 24, 2017 @ 12:33 am

I extend my deepest. Condolences to the family.

Rest In Peace.

#13 Comment By The Billy Joe Rutledge Family On August 24, 2017 @ 12:40 am

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

#14 Comment By Dean and Sallyann Storer On August 24, 2017 @ 12:56 am

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

#15 Comment By Robert and Judy Strope On August 24, 2017 @ 1:50 am

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.

#16 Comment By Susan Brooks and Family On August 24, 2017 @ 3:00 am

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.

#17 Comment By Debbielogan On August 24, 2017 @ 1:27 pm

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….

#18 Comment By Audrey Groce King On August 24, 2017 @ 4:40 pm

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.

#19 Comment By Melissa Dunman On August 24, 2017 @ 10:14 pm

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

#20 Comment By Dennie & Betty Jo Massey On August 24, 2017 @ 11:14 pm

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

#21 Comment By TommyScott On August 25, 2017 @ 12:53 pm

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.

#22 Comment By Lesa M Hodge On August 25, 2017 @ 2:40 pm

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

#23 Comment By Lesa and Bill Hodge On August 25, 2017 @ 2:44 pm

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

#24 Comment By Linda and William Ellis On August 25, 2017 @ 9:21 pm

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 .

#25 Comment By Debbie Motes On August 26, 2017 @ 4:15 pm

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.

#26 Comment By Don McAlister On August 30, 2017 @ 4:24 pm

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.