Birth Date: 01/26/1946
Deceased Date: 11/25/2021
Selma – Gene R. Flowers Beasley, age 75 passed away peacefully Thursday November 25, 2021 surrounded by loving family and friends after a brief stay at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. Gene was born in Johnston County on January 26, 1946 to the late Randall and Hazel Beasley. In addition to his mother and father, he was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 29 years Sue Adams Flowers, his sister Terry Beasley Barefoot, and his adored Bichon Frise dog named Tuffy.
Born into a farming family, Gene was forever a farmer at heart who loved spending time in his garden. In his earlier years his “never met a stranger” attitude led him to trying his hand at selling both cars and insurance. While he had success at both, they just weren’t quite the right fit for him.
Next, he went to work with his brother Rayvon in construction building houses where he was a quick study who never forgot anything. It was here that he learned the skills to build himself the happy home he and Sue shared for many years. It was also during this time that Gene decided to show off his musical talent by joining a local country music band where he was known to pick a mighty mean guitar.
After deciding that the spotlight of the stage wasn’t really his cup of tea and that the weather was too big a factor in construction, Gene went back to his roots and chose the career that carried him for the next three decades, Agri Supply. Having started on the yard, assembling and loading equipment at the original Garner store, his vast knowledge and incredible memory for parts and numbers quickly moved him inside to the front desk to answer everybody’s questions.
When it was decided to open a mail order center in Micro (Agri-Direct / Direct Distributors) the natural choice was to send the human catalog down to get things started. His genuine love for helping people and his hands-on, life knowledge of farming made this the perfect fit and he quickly developed relationships with people all over the country who only wanted to deal with Mr. Gene, the man with all the answers.
When he wasn’t helping people at Agri as he called it, Gene loved to sit on his screened porch listening to bluegrass music and visiting with family and friends. His Sunday visits with his brother Rayvon were very special and the highlight of his week. In his earlier years, Gene enjoyed playing music, building and fixing things, gardening, riding his motorcycle and he always loved cutting grass and keeping his yard neat. Beyond a doubt Gene’s favorite place to be was in the mountains and he went every chance he had, often contemplating buying “just a small cabin in the mountains”.
After the passing of his beloved wife Sue, Gene was blessed to find love again with his companion till the end Donna Baker with whom he shared many laughs, mountain trips and adventures and whose smile and laugh would make him light up inside.
Gene is survived by his daughter Sherri Lynn Cannady and husband Matt of Clayton; his sons Jamie Flowers and wife Andie of Selma, BJ Pollard and wife Jessica of Selma; brother Rayvon Flowers, sisters Helen Johnson, Bobbie Lynn Toole, Joyce Holloman, JoAnn Peedin; grandchildren Gracie Cannady, Tanner Flowers, Taylor Flowers, Tristan Gaskins, Katy Pollard, Mia Pollard, McKenzie Bruce; great grandchild Aaron Starling; loving companion Donna Baker; his dog Riley; many nieces and nephews as well as many in laws who consider and love him as a brother. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Per his request visitation is floating and at his home, Tuesday November 30th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held at Price cemetery in Pine Level Wednesday December 1, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. with a celebration of life following immediately after at his home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at Parrishfh.com
