Ernest "Gene" Farris, 83, of Athens, died Thursday, November 14, 2013 at his residence. A native of Port St. Joe,
Florida, he was a son of the late Wesley and Stella Wilburn Farris and was also preceded in death by his wife
Naomi Farris, a grandson Ernest Glen Grubb, Sr., and brothers Gordon, Tom and Alden Farris.
He was a member of Allen Memorial United Methodist Church and was a veteran of the US Army serving during
the Korean War. He came to Athens in 1954 with the start-up of Bowater serving for 31 years retiring as
Superintendent in the Paper Mill Department. Following his retirement from Bowater he was associated with
Geschemay Felts of South Carolina for 12 years.
He is survived by three daughters and three sons-in-law, Shannon and Larry Miller, Lynette and David
Culberson and Ellen and Tom Dodson; one son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Lisa Farris all of Athens;
grandchildren, Amanda Wooden, Emily Buckner, Hope Adams, Jason Farris, Blake Farris and Carrie Peck;
great-grandchildren, Kayla Partain, Alicia Wooden, Kyle Buckner, Kimberly Buckner, Jordan Buckner, Ernest Grubb, Jr, Nathan and Addison Farris and Colton Adams; sister, Elsie Farris of Port St. Joe, FL and several
nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted, 11:00 am, Monday, November 18, 2013, in the chapel of Smith Funeral
Home with Rev. Ogle Wattenbarger officiating. Interment will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens with
Military Honors at the graveside. The family will receive friends from 3:00-5:00 pm, Sunday at the funeral
home.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Holston Home for Children, 404 Holston Drive, Greeneviille, TN
37743.