Gene Wardell

1928 - 2018

Gene Wardell

Nashville - WARDELL, Eugene "Gene", 90, passed away August 18, 2018 and was born January 16, 1928 in Sevier County Tennessee, raised and spent his early life in Knoxville and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, attending Knoxville High School and University of Tennessee. Gene is the son of Chester and Mildred Wardell of Knoxville. He married Betty Jane Anderson, and they had two sons, Robert (Bonny) and David (Elaina). Gene was an accomplished musician, artist and athlete. His first career and passion was as a singer performer in the late 50's with his own TV Show, the Gene Wardell Show, where he was known as the Smokey Mountain Troubadour. A medical condition caused him to give up his show, but he remained active in the music and performance world for a number of years. Gene also worked a number of years doing art work in Oak Ridge and Knoxville. Gene spent most of his working years as a salesman traveling regionally. Later, Gene moved to Nashville, TN, where he married Ruth Holt Pippin. He was an active member at First Church of the Nazarene in Nashville, where he enjoyed the Sunday School Group, Choir and Gideon's. He is also survived by grandchildren: Sam Wardell (Amy) & Betty (Sarah) King (Jeff) with great-granddaughter, Sloane; Seth Wardell (Gina) with great-grandchildren (Ella and Eston), Jonathan Wardell (Bryony), Benjamin Wardell (Crystal) with great-grandson Landon; and step grandsons Adam Grey (Blaire) and Paul Grey. With Ruth Pippin he had four grown step children: Bettie MacCaskill (Mack), with three step grandchildren, Tammy, Jimmy (Lisa), and Donna; Carl Pippin (Joyce) with grown daughters Carla and Carol; Tommy Pippin (Judy) with two step grandchildren Lynn (Van) and Stacey; and Walter Ethridge (Mary) with grown daughters Patricia and Alice. There are numerous step great and great-great grandchildren. After the death of his wife, Ruth, Gene later married Carrie Belle Kemper, who had four grown children: Linda DeVault (Duane) with step grandson Barrett (Brittany), Tommy Kemper (Luanne), Wayne Kemper (Arlana), and Danny Kemper with step grandsons JT and Kayler. After Carrie's death and Gene's failing health, he relocated to Assisted Living in Peachtree City, GA to be near son David and family. Viewing will be on Friday at Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home, from 4pm to 8pm. Another viewing at First Church of the Nazarene from 10am- 12:30pm with funeral services following at 12:45pm. Burial will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery. PHILLIPS-ROBINSON FUNERAL HOME, www.phillipsrobinson.com, 615-262-3312