It is fitting that it was Palm Sunday , after the hymns of invitation…after the final prayer and postlude…after everyone was refreshed from morning church, that Ernest Eugene “Gene” Gafford went home to be with his Lord and Savior at age 92 March 24, 2024. He was born in Memphis, TN on March 13,1932 to the late E.H Gafford and Jennie Young Gafford.
After graduating high school at Treadwell, Memphis, he served in the marines in the Korean war. Following his military service and working as an electrician, he sensed a call to serve the Lord in full time ministry and began ministerial studies at Toccoa Bible College and completed his seminary coursework receiving his doctorate at Southern Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He served as pastor in several churches. Then in the early 80’s he began serving as Director of the Bartlett location of the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home and while there initiated the founding of the Boys Ranch in Millington, TN. He was a member of Leawood East Baptist during his retirement years where he continued to serve and minister to others.
Soft-spoken in his ordinary life, but behind the pulpit, his voice grew as he preached the Word with conviction and Spirit leading. He enjoyed fishing, flower gardening and was an avid long distance runner.
Gene is preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Jennie Gafford, his beloved bride Shirley Carrick Gafford, his brother Laymon Gafford, a son Chuck Gafford, a daughter Sherrie Vigus and a daughter-in-law Donna Gafford.
He is survived by two sons Rick (Patsy) Gafford, Tim Gafford and one daughter Lynn Gafford, 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
A visitation for Gene will be held Thursday, March 28, 2024 from 12:00PM to 2:00PM at Leawood East Baptist Church, 1620 N Houston Levee Rd, Cordova, TN 38016. The funeral service will occur Thursday, March 28, 2024 beginning at 2:00PM with a graveside to follow at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Rd., Bartlett, TN 38133.
The family requests any memorials be sent to Leawood East Baptist Church missions ministries or to the TBCH Double B Boys Ranch 9224 Quito Rd., Millington, TN 38053
