Alvin Eugene “Daddy Gene” Durham, of Hohenwald, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at the age of 87. He was surrounded by his beloved family and close friend.

Daddy Gene was loved by everyone who knew him. Once you met him, you knew you had a friend for life. He was born on May 30, 1933 to Colonel Alvin Durham and Eura (Nutt) Waymon, in Wayne Co. In 1949, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Johnie V. (Burns) Durham. The lived a wonderful life together and raised a loving family. Daddy Gene worked at Genesco. He worked there for over forty years until its closing. He then worked for the Lewis County Government until his retirement. He was a devoted member of the Lewis County Senior Center, and served on their board of directors. Daddy Gene could play shuffleboard or pool all day long. Above everything, he was a Christian. He was a devoted member of the Springer Church of Christ, often arriving first to turn the lights on and get the building ready for everyone. One thing is for sure, Daddy Gene is finally where he always wanted to be, Home.

He is survived on this earth by his children, Kenny (Debbie) Durham-Hohenwald, Beverly (Don) Durham Hull-Decatur, AL, Mary Frances Durham Marshall, Jo Ruth Shelby, brothers Golden Ray Durham and Cranford Durham, grandchildren John Cordell (Stacy) Hull, Joshua Eugene Hull, Jennifer Durham (David) Baker, and Seidina Day Ingram, great grandchildren Joseph Hull, Collin Hesselrode, Cameron Hesselrode, William Gavin Baker, and Samuel Baker, Schyler Adams, Sawyer Staggs, Kaden Marshall, Karly Marshall, and Kasey Marshall. Also, he leaves behind a special friend, Phyllis Cogdill.

Along with his parents and his wife, Johnie V. Durham, he is preceded in death by three brothers, Clovis, Thomas, and William Durham.

Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday evening from 5-9PM at the McDonald Funeral Home in Hohenwald. Funeral Services will be held on Friday at 1:00 PM in the McDonald Funeral Home Chapel. Kenny Durham, Don Hull, and Daddy Gene’s Grandchildren will officiate. Burial will follow at Swiss Cemetery.

If you wish to make a donation in memory of Daddy Gene, the family asks that you do so to the Lewis County Senior Center.