Gene W. Prince : Obituary

Gene W. Prince, age 79, of 698 Burgertown Road, Copperhill, TN, passed away Friday, May 27, 2011 in the Copper Basin Hospital after a brief illness.He was born in Polk County, the son of the late Paul E. and Lucy Harris Prince and husband of the late Daisy Elrod Prince. Gene was a loving husband, father, and grandfather that had an active career as a Bluegrass Vocalist and Musician playing on the Louisiana Hayride and with various Bluegrass artist. He was a Rural Challenge Musician and Teacher in the Copper Basin area for over six years, passing on rural, mountain music to several hundred students.

He is survived by his wife Irene Hancock Prince of the home; Two sons, Champ (Maxine) Prince and Tyke (Cindy) Prince, all of Copperhill, TN; Three daughters, Gina (Mike) Coleman of Wehutty Road, Cherokee County, NC, Joann (Richard) White of Ada Street, Blue Ridge, GA, Libby (Frank) Newman of Eaton Road, Blue Ridge, GA; Six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, May 29th at 2:00 p.m. from the New Ground Baptist Church with Rev. Mitchell Taylor and Rev.Tyke Prince officiating. Music will be by family and friends: Gloria Herr, Gina & Mike Coleman, Champ Prince, Amy Allen, Johnathan White and Kenneth Holder and friends. The following will serve as pallbearers: Tom Herr, Brandon Plush, Derek Allen, Johnathan White, Cody Towe and Chad Nicholson. Interment will follow in the Mt. Harmony, McAllister Hill, Copperhill, TN cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Condolences to the family may be sent to www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill in charge of the arrangements.