Gene Barkley

Mr. Edward Eugene "Gene" Barkley, 66, of Harmony, passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2013, at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Mr. Barkley was born September 14, 1947 in Iredell County and was the son of the late Edward Lee Barkley and Geneva Jenkins Barkley. He was a graduate of Cool Springs High School, attended Gardner Webb University, and Kings Business College before joining the U.S. Army in which he served during the Vietnam War. On March 23, 1968 he married Martha Ward Barkley, who survives. Mr. Barkley worked as a sales manager with Interstate Equipment Co. and retired following 41 years of service. He was a man who loved his family and his church. He was a member of Hebron Baptist Church and he served as the Charlie Tomlin Sunday School Class teacher, Deacon, former Sunday school director, Usher and former youth teacher. He was a member of the American Legion Post 113 and a former volunteer fireman with the Harmony VFD. In addition to his wife, Martha, Mr. Barkley is survived by one son, Robbie Barkley and wife Kim and a granddaughter, Madison Barkley, all of Trinity, NC. He is also survived by two brothers, Lynn Barkley and wife Martha of Garden City, SC and Barry Barkley and wife Doreen of Clearwater, FL. One aunt, Hazel Knight and husband Marshall of Statesville, two nieces, two nephews, and numerous cousins also survive. Funeral services for Mr. Barkley will be conducted 3:00 pm Sunday, January 5, 2014 at Hebron Baptist Church with Rev. Darren Johnson, Rev. J.C. Alley, and Rev. William Wease officiating. The family will visit with friends from 1:30 until 3:00 pm in the church fellowship hall. Burial with full military honors will follow in the church cemetery. The family would like to thank Dr. Ruby Grimm and her staff along with the 4 floor staff at Iredell Memorial Hospital for their kind and loving care during Mr. Barkley's illness. They would also like to extend a special thank you to the Alley, Gilbert, Morgan, and Lee families along with their church family for all their help during Gene's illness. Memorials may be made to Hebron Baptist Church, 175 Hebron Road 28625, or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Gene Barkley.