Gene Davis

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Emanuel Eugene "Gene" Davis, 77, of Houston, formerly of Advance, died Sunday, April 27, 2014, at his home, after a long battle with leukemia.

He was born Sept. 12, 1936, beloved son of Ethel and L.B. Davis of Advance.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Louis.

Survivors include two sisters, Juanita of St. Charles, Missouri, and Wanda Davis of Advance; three sons, Darrel and wife Norma of Gaithersburg, Maryland, Val and wife Dona of East Burke, Vermont, and Patrick of Clarksville, Tennessee., and his daughter Janice of Pensacola, Florida.

Gene was a minister in many towns in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois, including Cardwell, Missouri, Chaffee, Missouri, Kewanee, Missouri, Delta, and in Anna, Illinois. At one time he headed three churches in rural Southeast Missouri.

Later in life, Gene entered the business world. He planned, built and operated a sawmill in Central America, owned a pallet factory in Delta, and Eden Farms produce store in Cape Girardeau. He also headed new home sales for Skillmaster Homes in a subdivision in Richmond, Texas.

A memorial service will be later this year, with Gene to be laid to rest next to his parents in the family plot in Advance.