Eugene "Gene" E. Cordell

He was born in Cantrall, IL on May 18, 1927 the son of Lewis W. and Dorcas (Foster) Cordell. He married Letta “Betty” (Laws) Woolston on April 3, 1949 in Springfield; she preceded him in death on October 7, 2006.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Emma Brookshire and brother, Forrest Cordell.

He was a manager for Ameritech Communications where he worked for 33 years before retiring in 1985. He was a handyman and loved to fix things. Gene also enjoyed fishing. He was a member of several groups Tyrian Lodge #333 AF & AM for 56 years, Springfield Consistory, Ansar Shrine, Ansar Retirees Club, Ansar Chanters, Abe Lincoln High Twelve, the Telephone Pioneers of America and the Springfield Motorboat Club. He was also a long time member of Elliott Avenue Baptist Church where he served on many committees.

Gene is survived by his son Ralph and his wife Virginia Cordell of Tucker, GA., his daughter Becky Gulley of Springfield, four grandchildren April Gulley of Venice Beach, Ca., Bonnie Gulley and fiancé Brian Stum of Madison, WI., Michael Gulley and Katie Gulley of Springfield, and several nieces and a nephew.

A memorial service will take place at the Elliott Avenue Baptist Church 501 W. Elliott Avenue in Springfield at 6pm on Monday, December 20, 2010 with Reverend Roger Jackson officiating.

Memorials may be made to Sweet Sleep PO Box 40486 Nashville, TN 37204-9988 1-615-730-7671 www.sweetsleep.org, and Shriners Crippled Children’s Hospital of St. Louis, MO.