Clennon Eugene "Gene" Sockey

Clennon Eugene "Gene" Sockey, 91, of Muldrow, died March 19, 2017 in Fort Smith. He was born August 24, 1925 in Bokoshe, Oklahoma to the late Richard and Minnie Sockey. Gene taught school in Oklahoma, Kansas, and California where he was an administrator in the Fontana Unified School District, Fontana, California. In addition, he was the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Indian Education Program, Washington, D.C. He later operated Teddi-Gene Furniture in Muldrow, with his late wife, Teddi. He was an active member at First Baptist Church in Fort Smith, and was always an ardent witness and testifier to others for his Lord and Savior. He will always be known as a wonderful and positive inspiration to all.

He is survived by three children, Phyllis Wolfe and her husband David Wallace of Rockville, Maryland, Charles Sockey and his wife Barbara of Potomac Falls, Virginia and Lisa Walker and her husband Harding of American Fork, Utah; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by Beatrice B. Sockey.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Fort Smith First Baptist Church with burial to follow at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be: R.L. “Junior” Sockey, Larry Sockey, Bill Sockey, Leon Phillips, Steven Sockey, Harding Walker, Craig Walker and Alan Walker. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at Edwards Funeral Home. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Fort Smith First Baptist Church, 1400 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.

To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com