Gene Austin Bales (7-26-11)

GAINESVILLE - Gene Austin Bales, 80, died Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at his residence following an extended illness.

A native of Barrow County, he was born in Winder on September 6, 1930, the son of the late James Andrew and Katie Raye Kilgore Bales. He was employed for many years at McEver Packing Company in Talmo, and retired from Candler Concrete in Gainesville, after 23 years of service. He was a member of Bethaber Baptist Church. Mr. Bales was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Donia Bell Tumlin Bales; and a son, Kenneth Gene Bales.

Mr. Bales was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His granddaughters recall his soft temperament, his charming smile and his clever yet wise way with words.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmy Lewis and Jeanette Bales, Talmo, and Fred Daniel and Angela Bales, Gainesville; sons, Ricky Charles Bales, Gainesville, and Winfred Dean Bales, Pendergrass; daughter-in-law, Carolyn B. Collins, Gainesville; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Milton Benefield, Flowery Branch; brother-in-law, Harold Tumlin, Maysville; sister-in-law, Janice Vaughn, Monroe; and a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Friday, July 29, in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, with the Rev. Jack Sanders officiating. Burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery. Roy Bennett, Michael Buress, Sam Montgomery, Ray Beasley, Matt Tumlin and Joey Ryder served as pallbearers. The memorial music was provided by Cheryl Thompson.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, was in charge of arrangements.

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