Eugene "Gene" Oakley

Yanceyville-Mr. Eugene “Gene” Oakley, 87, loving husband, father and grandfather of Yanceyville, NC passed away peacefully at the Hospice Home on July 22, 2023. A native of Alamance County, he was born November 21, 1935 to the late James Lundy Oakley Sr. and Viola Kimbro Oakley.

Gene worked in textiles most of his life, employed at a young age by Burlington Industries for seventeen years and retiring after twenty-eight years of service from UNIFI. He enjoyed the outdoors tending to his cows and hunting the land that he loved. He loved vegetable gardening, shiny clean trucks, and spending time at the beach with his family. He attended Concord Christian Church in Yanceyville, NC.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Munday Oakley of forty-nine years, and son, Mitch Oakley and wife Sharon; daughters, Kim Vaughan and husband Dan; Robyn Grinstead and husband, Ronnie; Stephanie Kennon and husband Joey. Grandchildren, Dustin Vaughan and wife Lauren; Katelynn Crowder and husband, Travis: Hayden Kennon, and step-grandchildren Ashley and Preston Kennon. Great-grandchildren, Violet and Annie Vaughan; Lena Rose and Logan Crowder; and step great granddaughter; Knox Kennon and sister, Doris Mansfield; and many special nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brothers Clyde Oakley, Tom Oakley, Hubert Oakley, Jake Oakley and sister, Mattie “Pat” Byrd.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, July 28, 2023 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Pastor Steve Hinton with the burial to follow the service at Bush Arbor Primitive Baptist Church, 101 Cherry Grove Road, Yanceyville NC. The family will receive family and friends from 12:30 –1:45 pm prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to AuthoraCare Collective – Burlington Campus (Hospice Home) at 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.

The family would like to thank the special nurses and staff at Hospice Home for their loving care and support during Gene’s stay.