Gene Carroll Balentine, Loretto, Tenn., was a retired construction worker, a member of the Church of Christ and a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam Conflict as a helicopter mechanic. He died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, at his home at the age of 67 Years, 3 months, 20 days. Survivors include sons, Frederick Steven Balentine, Saint Joseph, Tenn., Derrick Bronson Balentine, Greenhill, Ala.; grandchildren, Ashley, Molly, Lydia, Jaelyn, Brian, Brayden, Brenton, Kayla, Kandi, Kelsey, Casey, Billy; sisters, Frances Whitten, Iron City, Tenn., Dorothy Kilburn (Leon), Savannah, Tenn.; special girlfriend, Mavis Brandenburg, Tuscumbia, Ala.; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Rufus and Ethel Wright Balentine; sister, Faye Bell; brothers, James, R. T., Carless, Louis and Clarence Balentine. Services will be Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. at Shackelford Funeral Directors Chapel, Collinwood, Tenn., with Billy Wright and Nolan Burns officiating. Burial with military rites will follow in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Cypress Inn, Tenn. Shackelford Funeral Directors, Wayne County, is directing. Pallbearers will be Chuck Brandenburg, Sonny Balentine, Robert Whitten, Reggie Balentine, Dalton Craig and Chris Whitten. Honorary pallbearers will be Greg Kilburn, Brian Bell and Brian Brandenburg. Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon until service time at the funeral home.
