Eugene Burnette

Eugene (Gene) Hobson Burnette Jr., age 84, a lifelong resident of Birmingham, Alabama passed away March 21, 2012. He attended Woodlawn High School and prior to graduation had the privilege of serving in the United States Navy during World War II. He then returned to Woodlawn High School and completed his high school education where he still holds Woodlawn’s baseball single season batting average of .560 after 63 years. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Martha Templin, he traveled extensively playing semi-professional baseball. Gene began his career as a commercial painter with Mann Brothers and before retiring, returned to the trade with B & B Rebuilders. In the interim, he created and co-owned “The Seafood and Chicken Box” in Woodlawn with his father-in law, S.M. Templin. Gene was known as “The Chicken Man” and loved by many. He was preceded in death by his parents Sadie Shamburger Burnette and Eugene Hobson Burnette, Sr., his son Samuel Eugene Burnette, and wives, Betty Davis and Mary Self.

He is survived by his brother Al Burnette, Birmingham, sister Jesse Jackson and her husband Bill of Foley, AL, daughter Kathy Byrom and her husband Marty, grandson Colt Byrom and his wife Ashley, granddaughters Casey and Molly Byrom and great-grandsons, Parker and Beckett Byrom, all of Birmingham.

The family would like to thank the Staff of St. Martin’s in the Pines for their care and friendship for the past 14 months.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 25th at Elmwood Chapel with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m.