Grover Eugene "Gene" Scearce

Brigadier General Grover Eugene "Gene" Scearce

Brigadier General Grover Eugene "Gene" Scearce went to be with the Lord, Thursday, August 6, 2009. Born December 6, 1938 in the Bachelors Hall Community of Pittsylvania County, Danville, VA. He was the son of the late Grover W. Scearce and Ellen Gertrude Scott Scearce.

In 1961 he married the late Jo Ann Adams Scearce. He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Elizabeth Hood Scearce. He is also survived by three brothers, Cleveland Scearce and wife Gerry, Phillip Scearce and wife Joyce of Danville, Keith Scearce of Fairfax, VA; two stepchildren, John Jennings, Wende Jennings Honeycutt and husband Randy of Danville; two grandchildren; Tessa and Wesley Honeycutt of Danville; three nieces Tracy Scearce Isley of Colfax, NC, Christina Scearce of Danville and Melissa Scearce Howell of Watkinsville, GA; one nephew, Jason Scearce of Athens, GA; two great nieces and three great nephews; five aunts, Clara Scearce, Ruby Scott, Empress Hyler, Ann Daniel, and Geneva Harville all of Danville.

Gene grew up on a farm on Pine Lake Road, of Danville, VA. He was a 1957 graduate of Brosville High School. During his high school years he was involved in many activities. He was a member of the baseball, football, and basketball teams. As a member and President of the Future Farmers of America he enjoyed raising and showing live stock.

Gene joined the Virginia National Guard in 1961. During his service with the National Guard he held several key positions: Battery Commander, Assistant Division Coordinator, Defense Movement Coordinator for Virginia during Desert Storm Operation and one year as Liaison Officer for Chief of Staff of Virginia. During his 30 years of service with the Virginia National Guard, he served as the Battalion Commander of the local 1st BN 246th Field Artillery from January 1, 1984 to October 31, 1987. He retired with the rank of Colonel. On March 2, 1992 Gene received the rank of Brigadier General from Virginia Militia.

Along with his duties with the Virginia National Guard he worked in the Research Department of Dan River Mills for 27 years. He also worked with Organic Pigment Corp., Greensboro NC and Consolidated Labs, Eden, NC.

After retiring from the National Guard he continued his education receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from Liberty University.

Gene felt the most rewarding position he ever held was as Commander of the JROTC at Tunstall High School. He loved what he did and never considered it a job but an honor. He retired from Tunstall High School after 7 years. Sgt. Charles Wagoner was a tremendous help to Gene during those seven years. Gene loved each cadet and hopes he made a difference in their lives. They did in his.

He was a member of the St. John's Fishermen Club where he served as Treasurer for several years and as President for six years.

He was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church and was very active in the Pairs and Spares Sunday Class and served three years as Church Deacon.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers, cards, calls, and food. We would like to thank the doctors' at UVA, and Dr. Vasireddy. We would like to especially thank the Hospice nurses and the home health aides, Carolyn Holland and Norma Hearp for their kindness and loving care and Rev. Daryl Joyce. Thanks to Cliff Gammon, Donna Brown, and Ruth Combo for sitting with Gene during his illness and a special thank you to our pastor Rev. Curtis Faison for always being there when we needed him and the special attention he gave Gene. Thanks also to Justin Williams at Wrenn-Yeatts for all his help to the family.

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 10, 2009 at 2p.m. at Woodlawn Baptist Church with Rev. Gen. Billy Scearce, the Reverend Steven Greer, and the Reverend Curtis Faison officiating. Interment will follow in the Scearce Family Cemetery on Pine Lake Road with full Military Honors. The family will receive friends Sunday evening 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Baptist Church and at other times at the residence 2261 River Ridge Road.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations to St. John's Fishermen Club, 1452 Stony Mill Rd., Danville, VA. 24540, Woodlawn Baptist Church Building Fund, 2500 Westover Dr., Danville, VA 24541, or the Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, 11350 McCormick Road, Executive Plaza III, Suite 906, Hunt Valley, Maryland, 21031.

Wrenn-Yeatts Westover Chapel is respectfully serving the Scearce family.

Online condolences at www.wrenn-yeatts.com

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