Gene Dillard

Mr. Gene Dillard, age 74 of Calhoun, passed away Friday afternoon at Gordon Hospital following an extended illness. Mr. Dillard was born on January 23, 1933 son of the late John William and Cora Mae Bagley Dillard. He was retired from Hercules Artisans Plant. He also worked several years with Combs and Free Funeral Home and was a Tennessee Walking Horse Trainer for more than thirty years. He was a member of the Antioch Baptist Church and was a member of the Georgia Jubilaires Quartet. He was preceded in death by three brothers Sam, Clinton and Herman Dillard. Four sisters; Lillian Crump, Aileen Pendley, Eddie Bell Jones and Lenora Brock and a stepson Shawn Bates also preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife Shelby McConnell Dillard of Calhoun; one son and daughter-in-law; Steve and Stephanie Dillard and one daughter and son-in-law; Shelia and Ricky Colston all of Calhoun; ; four sisters; Kathleen Conway of Plainville, Ann Stitcher, Louise Carden and Johnnie Mae Lanham all of Rome; five stepsons; Lester Bates and Darl Bates both of Calhoun; Wade Bates and Art Bates both of Indiana and Jack Bates of Pennsylvania; one step daughter Suzanne Bates of Calhoun; grandchildren, great grandchildren and other relatives also survive. Funeral Services for Mr. Gene Dillard will be conducted Sunday August 12, 2007 at 2:00p.m. from the Antioch Baptist Church with Rev. Woody Lee, Rev. Terrell Colston, Rev. Jimmy Green and Rev. Jack Bell officiating. Interment will follow in the Fain Cemetery with Rev. Jimmie Dillard conducting the graveside rites. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Active pallbearers serving will include Stevie Dillard, Kevin Allen, Ron Cannon, Allen Price, Danny Dobson, Max Thurman, Lamar Dean and Grady Burger. These gentlemen are asked to meet at the funeral home Sunday at 12:30p.m. Honorary pallbearers will include Deacons of Antioch Baptist Church, members of the Outreach Sunday School Class, members of the Georgia Jubilaires Quartet, Danny Thurman, Ellis Bramblett, Erwin Williams, Emory McEntyre, Johnny Mac Thompson, Frank Campbell, Ralph Gray, Glen Carden, Ricky Stone, Tom Gallman, Joe Barton, Clay Stephens and Leroy Whitfield. These gentlemen are asked to meet at the church at 1:45p.m. The family will receive friends at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home Saturday evening after 5:00p.m. Online condolences may be sent and the guestbook may be signed at www.maxbrannonandsons.com Family owned and operated Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home of Calhoun is conducting the funeral services for Mr. Gene Dillard of Calhoun.

Gene Dillard

January 23, 1933 - August 10, 2007