Mr. Eugene Redd

In the words of American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Useful, honorable, and compassionate are some of the traits that describe the 92 years of Eugene Redd's well-lived earthly life. Eugene was born on November 6, 1932. He was the firstborn of Minnie and James Redd Sr. Eugene's formative years were spent in the close knit community of Florence, Mississippi, where he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and attended New Hope School. As the eldest of ten children born to a sharecropper father, Eugene learned the values of hard work and selflessness at an early age. He was often responsible for preparing family meals, giving his younger siblings baths, as well as assisting them with their schoolwork. Eugene even taught some of his siblings how to drive. (You can blame Eugene for any bad driving habits his brother Dub may have.) On December 6, 1952, Eugene married the love of his life, Dean, and together they built a foundation of love and devotion that would last 71 years. He would often tell folks that marrying Dean was the best decision he ever made in life. Eugene and Dean worked together to make their home a sanctuary of respect, love, kindness, and gratitude. Eugene held several jobs throughout the years to provide a comfortable living for Dean and their two daughters Gail and Debra. He worked at Jackson Tile in Flowood, Mississippi for many years prior to spending 23 years at Stone Container in Flowood, Mississippi and then retiring in 1995. Eugene's spiritual life was central to who he was. He was a dedicated member of Taylorsville United Methodist Church for many years, where he served in various roles, including Sunday School Superintendent, class leader, chairperson of the church's trustee board, and as a member of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. Later in life, he became a member of Jerusalem M.B. Church, joining his wife Dean, where he continued to faithfully serve as a Sunday School and Bible study member until his passing. He also contributed his time to the church's Constant Care for the Disabled Committee, offering compassion and empathy to those in need. Eugene also found great joy in the simple pleasures of life. He was an avid fisherman and could often be found by the water, enjoying the quiet solitude of nature. Eugene also took immense pride in maintaining his yard, tending to it with care and dedication. Even after his 90th birthday, he could often be seen riding his lawnmower (although against his daughters' wishes!) as he worked to keep his lawn beautifully manicured. Eugene also enjoyed reading the local newspaper daily from cover to cover, watching live sports and Old Westerns like Bonanza and Gunsmoke on TV, and of course, his weekly haircuts--he rarely missed a week! But perhaps Eugene's greatest joy, and what he most looked forward to, was weekly Sunday dinner with his family following church service, a tradition he began more than 50 years ago, that continues to this day. Matthew 5:16, declares, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven." Eugene showed us the goodness and the glory of God through the way he lived his life-a useful, honorable, and compassionate life. Eugene's memories will live on in the hearts of those who loved him, including his wife Dean Redd of Brandon, Mississippi; daughters Gail (Walter) Muriel of Brandon, Mississippi, and Debra (Roy) Jones of Bolton, Mississippi; four grandchildren, Reginald (Monique) Jones of Cape Town, South Africa, Kristen Wynn of Brandon, Mississippi, Kevin (Ashleigh) Murriel of Ackworth, Georgia, and Whitney Jermaine) Perkins of Clinton, Mississippi; and seven great-grandchildren, Braxton and Parker Wells and Baylor Wynn of Brandon, Mississippi, Scarlett and Anderson Murriel of Ackworth, Georgia, and Landon and Sydney Lake Perkins of Clinton, Mississippi. Eugene was a beloved brother and uncle to his siblings and their families. He is survived by his siblings; James (Earline) Redd Jr. and Walter James (Dorothy) Redd of Brandon, Mississippi, Doris (Allen, deceased) Scott-Prothro of Los Angeles, California, Shirley Sullivan of Harbor City, California, Mattie (Howard) Lister Thompson of Brandon, Misissippi, Daisy (Ralph) Johnson of Florence, Mississippi, and Gloria (Tommie Lee) Wells of Pearl, Mississippi; his sister-in-law Evelyn Tillis and brother-in-law Eddie Dear, Sr. of Brandon, Mississippi; and a host of nieces and nephews. Eugene was preceded in death by his mother and father, Minnie and James Redd, Sr.; his brother Leonard (Erma Lee, deceased) Redd, Sr., and his sister Margaret Dear. Eugene's influence was profound, and his impact will continue to be felt by all who were blessed to know him.

Mr. Eugene Redd

November 6, 1932 - November 29, 2024