Eugenia "Genie" Paden Earnhardt

Eugenia Paden Earnhardt of Raleigh, NC died peacefully on February 12, 2026. Known as Genie to friends and family (and Gigi to her beloved grandkids), she was born on August 28, 1937 in Greenville, SC to the late William Reynolds and Ernestine Cloud Paden. Genie grew up in Clemson, SC where she and her late brothers, Bill and Frank, enjoyed idyllic childhoods living in a quintessential college town. She studied music for two years at Wesleyan College (GA) before enrolling and graduating from the University of North Carolina with a degree in Zoology. While at Chapel Hill, she met and became engaged to Roger L. Earnhardt of Monroe, NC.

Upon her graduation and their marriage on December 26, 1959, Roger and Genie moved to Durham where she worked as a biochemistry research technician for Duke University and supported Roger as he finished his degree at Chapel Hill. Once Roger began his career in mortgage banking, Genie assumed her role as a homemaker extraordinaire and mother to two sons, John and Jim. After a couple of moves around the state, Roger, Genie and their boys settled in Raleigh in 1964 where the family enjoyed a classic lifestyle of family cookouts, road trips and numerous sporting, scouting and school events. Genie’s skills in the kitchen, on the sewing machine, and hosting parties were unmatched. She was equally admired for her sense of style in fashion and home décor. She embarked on several part-time working endeavors in retail and interior design while also volunteering at Rex Hospital, Edenton Street Methodist Church and the Governor’s Mansion. She was a member and leader of many book, garden and bridge clubs. Genie was ahead of her time in appreciating the importance of healthy eating, physical fitness (she started practicing Pilates in the 70’s) and lifelong learning. She was a voracious reader of books and the Sunday New York Times (solving its crossword puzzle in pen on a routine basis).

Genie and Roger embraced the empty nester lifestyle. For several years, they enjoyed their place at Pine Knoll Shores - her boat picnics were legendary. They enjoyed several years of commuting to Greenwich, CT for Roger’s work (and Genie’s frequent shopping trips to Bergdorf Goodman in the City). Later, they fulfilled their wanderlust with extended trips to Europe, including several river cruises in France and Germany, as well as exploring the American West and Canada by train. Closer to home, they enjoyed frequent jaunts to favorite spots in Charleston, Asheville and Highlands. They also took great delight in the company of their grandchildren and filled those visits with arts and crafts projects as well as cooking lessons and sporting endeavors. After almost a 40 year break, Genie pursued mastery of the piano again and sometimes performed for her family but mostly played for herself and her faithful cats.

After a full life, Genie leaves behind an enduring legacy to her surviving family, including her husband Roger, her son John and his wife Cathy of Simsbury, CT, and their children Maddie, Hannah, Jack; and her son Jim and his wife Rena of Raleigh and their daughter Paden and husband Phen, and their newborn baby girl, Chasie.

The family greatly appreciates the love and care Genie received from the staff at Springmoor and Transitions Lifecare.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable contribution to Edenton Street Methodist Church, the Alzheimer’s Association or the Springmoor Endowment Fund in Genie’s honor.

Arrangements are being handled by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, with services to be held at a later date.