Gene Steele Sr.

To those who remember our dad, Gene C. Steele, Sr., passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2015 in the Limestone Medical Center in Groesbeck, Texas at the age of 93. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home with Rev. Clifton Jones.. Interment will follow in the Mexia Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home. Gene was born November 25, 1921 in Forest Glade, Texas to Frank and Maude E. Hancock Steele. He married Sally I. Martin on February 16, 1942 in Corpus Christi, Texas. After almost 73 years together, they remained best friends and totally in love. Gene was an upholsterer for nearly 50 years. After moving to Abbott, Texas in 1960, he and Sally spent 35 years working together and serving the people in Hill County and the surrounding counties. On April 4, 2011, the Senate of Texas in H.B. 704, signed by David Dewhurst, President of the Senate, Patsy Spau, Secretary of Senate and State Senator Brian Birdwell, recognized Gene as the oldest living great-grandson, in the State of Texas, of Alphonso Steele. Alphonso Steele, friend and military member of Sam Houston's army, was the last living survivor of the "Battle of San Jacinto" that freed Texas from Mexico in 1836. Alphonso was 94 years old when he died in Limestone County, Texas on July 8, 1911. A life size portrait graces the walls of the Senate Chambers in Austin, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Gene, Jr.; grandson, William Steele; great-grandson, Cole Sosebee; two brothers; and two sisters. Gene is survived by his loving wife, Sally of Groesbeck; children, Jeanette I. Steele Hykel of Groesbeck, Clifton R. Steele and wife, Zora of Groesbeck and Rocky C. Steele and wife, Judy of Ennis; 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Great-grandsons serving as pallbearers will be Austen Heard, Aaron Frazier, Caleb Sosebee, Clifton Gene Steele, Nicholas Sheffield, Trey Bullard, Rocky Bullard and Trenton Underwood. The remaining grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers. Rest in peace dad, we all love you not only as a parent but also as a friend. Thank you for molding us into the people we are today.

Visitation Details

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home

Service Information

Wednesday, February 4th, 2015 2:00pm, Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home