Eugene Frank "Gene" Gilliam

Eugene Frank "Gene" Gilliam, 79, died Tuesday at his home. He was born Jan. 13, 1933 in Gaines Landing, Ark. to the late James Earl and Barbara Christine Gilliam. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Lou Ford Gilliam and sister Lorraine Chesnut. Gene was a lifelong farmer and upon retirement, began a new career as an adjuster for Farmers Mutual Insurance. He currently served on the Board of Directors at McGehee Bank and as president of the McGehee Producers Gin for over 12 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church of McGehee, Desha County Farm Bureau Board, Canal 18 Watershed District and the Desha County Conservation District. Survivors include two daughters and their husbands, Lou Ann and Ken Sales of McGehee, Ark. and Barbie and Lee Johnson of Monticello, Ark.; five grandchildren, Haley and Matt Myers, Gena, Ashlee and Jake McKinlee Gilliam Johnson; a sister, Martha Sadler of McGehee, Ark.; a brother, Ollie Charles (Buddy) Mason of Lonoke and a loving companion Betty Wells of McGehee. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012 at Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service in McGehee. Funeral service will be Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in McGehee with Rev. Gene Gregory and Dr. Ed Balducci officiating. Burial will be at McGehee Cemetery. Pallbearers are Matt Myers, Jake McKinlee Gilliam Johnson, Kevin Watts, Aaron Humphries, Greg Sadler, Mark Mason, and Billy Don Towles. Honorary pallbearers are McGehee Producers Gin and the Board of Directors of McGehee Bank. Memorials may be made to Eugene Gilliam Memorial Scholarship Fund at McGehee Bank, P.O. Box 787, McGehee, Ark. 71654. Arrangements by Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service of McGehee, Ark. Online guestbook: www.griffinculpepper.com.