April 15, 1952 – Nov. 28, 2012

GLOSTER — Services for Gene Ashley, 60, of Florence, who died Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, at University Medical Center in Jackson, were Friday at Brown Funeral Home Chapel in Gloster with the Rev. Bernard Waites officiating.

Burial followed at the Ashley Family Cemetery near Crosby under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.

Mr. Ashley was born April 15, 1952, the son of C.J. and Dorothy Pecanty Ashley.

Mr. Gene was a very tender hearted, caring, compassionate, patient man of abiding faith. During his 10 years of service as a compliance analyst at UMC his diligence and abilities earned him the respect and admiration of his co-workers. In addition to his profession, Gene spent time honing his natural talent creating unique and beautiful jewelry out of what most people would consider ordinary rocks. His creations were gifts for people he cared for. He also was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. Above all he was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

Mr. Gene was a board member and instructor at the Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society. He graduated from Pine Hills Academy and Hinds Allied Health Center in Jackson. He was also a member of Meadowbrook Church of Christ in Jackson.

He was a compliance analyst at University Medical Center in Jackson.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Cage Phillip Ashley.

Survivors include his wife, Diane Ashley; two sons, John Michael Ashley and wife, Channing, of Houston, Texas and James Christopher Ashley of Ellisville; one grandson, Jonas Ashley; his parents of Crosby; three brothers, Thomas Ashley and wife, Jackie, of Crosby, Tim Ashley and wife, Sonia, of Gloster and Pat Ashley and his wife, Ruth Ann, of Durant, Okla.; and various other well-loved relatives.

Pallbearers were Mitchell Tyner, Eli Ashley, Andrew Ashley, Cage Ashley, James Johnson, Matt Perkins, Brandon Aldridge and Mike Foreman.

Honorary pallbearers were Bobby Nick, Darcy McCoy, David Smith, Mitch Tyner and classmates and members of MGMS.