Hubert “Gene” Farris passed away quietly at his home surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. He was 87.
Gene, known by friends and colleagues as “Mr. Gene” and “Pawpaw” by his family, was born on September 4, 1935, in Lee County to Nealy Mae Farris (McMillen) and William Tulon Farris. He was a lifelong resident of Lee County.
Gene was a person of many talents, particularly working with his hands. There was no machine or engine that he couldn’t fix or rebuild. He was a talented mechanic and machinist who began his life of dedicated, tireless hard work at the Dr. Pepper plant at the age of 18. After a 6 year stint there, he worked at Penn Tire from the plant’s start-up to shut down and later, after nearly a decade of self-employment as an auto mechanic, worked for Jesco Machine Shop as a machinist and fabricator for nearly 15 years until his retirement. Gene loved operating heavy equipment. He operated bulldozers and excavators well into his 80s.
Gene was an active member of his church and community. He was a lifelong member of Auburn Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years, RA leader, and coach of the men’s softball team. His family was everything to him. He spent countless hours at the local ballfields coaching his kids and later watching his grandkids and great grandkids play ball. Gene loved to be outdoors. He relished mowing his yard or cooking out with his family on a pretty day. His hobbies included woodworking, fishing, tinkering with cars or small engines, and constantly working to make his homeplace more enjoyable for family. In his later years, Gene loved going out to eat and making trips to Home Depot or Scruggs to purchase parts and materials for his latest project.
Gene was married to the late Mattie Dale Davis on April 1, 1956. They were married for 55 years until her death in 2011. He is survived by their 5 children: David (Patty) Farris, Dalea (James) Conley, Malcolm (Ramona) Farris, Daletha (Clay) Richey, and Dawn (Michael) Bradley, all of Tupelo; 10 grandchildren: Daniel (Becky) Conley of Counce, TN, Amber (Allen) Palmer of Lewisburg, Ashley (Will) Simmons of Ocean Springs, Savannah (Steve) Sloan of Vernon, AL, Farris (Jordan) Smith of Starkville, and Josh (Kayla) Conley, Casey (Mark) Curtis, Brandy Conley, Courtney (Josh) Box, and Chasity (Peyton) Bramlett, all of Tupelo, and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by 2 sisters, Charlene West of Shannon and Geneva (Ray) Ford of Mooreville, in-laws Paula (Pete) Malone of Mooreville, Randy (Brenda) Davis of Saltillo, and Linda Washington of Tupelo, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents Nealy Mae Farris (McMillen) and William Tulon Farris, his loving and faithful wife Mattie Dale (Davis) Farris), his brother, James William Farris, and brother-in-law Joel Davis.
