Charles “Gene” Eugene Brannum of Poplar Bluff went home to be with his heavenly father on Jan. 13, 2023, attaining the earthly age of 84.
Gene was born Dec. 20, 1938, to the late Oscar Brannum and Eula Rainey Brannum in Taft, Missouri. Gene served the citizens of Poplar Bluff for 44 years as Street Superintendent, while also overseeing the Motor Pool Department and the City Cemetery Department. He further served on numerous city and county civic committees, including his favorite, the Poplar Bluff Community Development Board’s 4th of July Festival Committee.
He also enjoyed Sunday Services at Fellowship General Baptist Church. Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing, yard work and being outdoors. Listening to his fox hounds brought him great joy and was his lifelong passion. He took significant pride in his yard. Gene was particularly proud of his garden which he continued planting even in declining health.
On Sept. 4, 1999, he was united in marriage to Thelma Roberts.
She survives, along with two sons: Johnny Brannum (Lee Ann) and James “Jimmy” Brannum (Lorna). He is also survived by two stepdaughters that he felt were his own: Karla Roberts Householder and Cheri Roberts Turner (Jason); one brother, Jim Brannum (Kathy); sister, Verna Mae Bolin; and five grandchildren: Billy Brannum, Ryan Brannum, Michael D. Roberts, Ian Householder (Lenzi) and Ty (Abba Estes) Householder, along with three great-grandchildren: Jerrell D. Roberts, Saphire Roberts and Bingham Householder.
He was preceded in death by eight siblings, Bettie, JR, Bob, Virginia, Hattie, Eunice, Juanita and Thelma.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, Janu. 16, 2023, at White Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Bill Orr officiating. Burial will be at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.
Condolences: whitesandersfuneralhome.com.