Bro. Gene Heath

Bro. Earl Eugene (Gene) Heath, 92, of Gallatin, Tennessee went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 2:03 a.m. Monday, January 29, 2024, with his wife and daughters by his side.  In his life he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, mentor, and friend.

Born on October 2, 1931 in the Garrett's Creek community of Westmoreland, Tennessee, Gene was welcomed as the second child and son of Frazier and Sophie Heath.  At the age of 19, he married Betty Jean Graves, and to that union, which lasted more than 72 years, were born two daughters.

Mr. Heath worked as a carpet layer for several years, and later as a contractor.  The last home he fully oversaw building was his daughter's at the age of 75, though he continued working on small jobs into his 80s.

Mr. Heath was a Baptist preacher for more than 50 years. He was ordained as a minister by the Mt. Union Association of General Baptist Churches and pastored four churches during the years of his ministry.  He was a founding member of Westmoreland General Baptist Church in 1978, where he pastored for many years and was still a faithful member at the time of his death.

Gene loved many things in life...growing tomatoes, indulging his sweet tooth (a bowl of apple dumplings or chocolate gravy never failed to make his blue eyes light up), engaging in conversation with anyone (he never met a stranger), and his church and church family.  Known for being a big cutup, he had a great sense of humor and loved joking with and aggravating people.  Family was the biggest blessing to him, and he always delighted in being with them, especially his grandchildren.  However, the thing he treasured above all was his relationship with Christ, and he never failed to share the Gospel and what Jesus meant to him.

Mr. Heath was preceded in death by a grandson, Shane Harrison, who passed away in 1990 at the age of 18, brothers J.R. Heath and James Gaylon Heath (infant), sister Fairdenia Lyles, several brother/sister-in-laws, and nieces and nephews.

He is survived by

Wife Betty Heath of Gallatin, TN.

Daughter Shelia (Tim) Franks of Gallatin, TN.

Tyla (John) Creasy of Westmoreland, TN.

Grandson Jonathan (Penny) Thurman of Gallatin, TN.

Granddaughter Megan (Jacob) Hall of Longview, TX.

Granddaughter Ren Creasy of Chicago, IL.

Grandson John-Heath Creasy of Westmoreland, TN.

Great grandchildren Weston Shane Thurman, Dylan Frazier Thurman, Noah Cowart, and Reese Cowart.

Sister Sue Cline of Hendersonville, TN.

Sister-in-law Carol (Tony) Bentle of Westmoreland, TN.

Sister-in-law Shirley Clark of Gallatin, TN.

Sister-in-law JoAnn Durham of Portland, TN.

Sister-in-law Shelby Hall of Ripley, WV

Many loving nieces and nephews

Visitation and funeral will be held at Woodard Funeral Home in Westmoreland, TN. on Thursday, February 1 from 1-8 p.m. and Friday, February 2 from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m.  Burial will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Westmoreland.

Pallbearers will be Jonathan Thurman, John-Heath Creasy, Weston Thurman, Dylan Thurman, Jacob Hall, Noah Cowart, and Bryce Kittrell. His granddaughters will serve as flower bearers.