Eugene Wakefield Jacobs, Jr. “Gene”, age 55

Eugene Wakefield Jacobs, Jr. “Gene” of Conway, AR., went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on January 3^rd, 2024, after a yearlong brave courageous battle with stage 4 DLBCL. He passed peacefully with his wife and cousin in-law by his side.

Gene was born in Durham, N.C. on February 27^th, 1968 and raised through 8th grade in Chatham County (Just south of Durham.) He grew up going to church, fishing in his grandparent’s pond, riding in the many classic cars his dad bought and fixed up and had fond memories of going to listen to his father’s friend sing in the men’s vocal gospel group The Singing Samaritans. His first job was working in the Tobacco fields. He had a 45-minute school bus ride which he accounted his patience to. His family moved to Marietta, Georgia in 1982. He graduated from Lassiter High School in 1986.

Following high school, Gene worked with his cousin at Sundance Plumbing where he learned the trade quickly, was well liked, and led his own crew installing plumbing in homes. He attended Kennesaw College for a while during this same time. Gene worked in the retail industry through high school and then later for over 36 years. At one point, he built and briefly owned a BBQ restaurant called Jed’s Smokehouse in Central, S.C. next to the Walmart he had managed. Gene’s handiwork can still be seen in the ceilings and floors in the Mexican restaurant that remains there now. He was with Winn Dixie for almost 14 years, Walmart for 15 and Academy Sports and Outdoors for 11 years, becoming a District Manager for his final year until his illness in 2023. He made lifelong friends through his career. In his lifetime, he lived in 5 states including TN. and S.C. as well as Edmonton Alberta Canada where he proudly opened the first Walmart Supercenter and the highest grossing store of his career.

Gene loved numbers and sports stats especially his Tarheels, Dodgers, Steelers, Lakers, and Clemson too. He was a great leader, and mentor that positively affected a multitude of people. He enjoyed most of all aspects of his work. He will live on in our hearts as a determined strong person, leader, an inspiration, my dedicated loving husband, father, friend, and grandfather.

He is preceded in death by his father “Buck” Jacobs, his mother, Linda Roberts and 1 month old granddaughter Henley Draughon. He is survived by his loving former girlfriend from church youth group at Piedmont Baptist in Marietta, GA. whom he married in 2016 and made his wife, Misty; his stepchildren, Wade, Colt, and John Bowman; his 4 children, Sam (Carli) Jacobs, Elisabeth (Dustin) Draughon, Bradley Jacobs, Emma Jacobs; 3 prior stepsons, Kyle, Derrick, and Ethan Gibson; grandchildren, Hayden Draughon, Cohen Jacobs, Kaden Blackwell, Millie Jean Draughon due 2/5/24. He is also survived by his siblings, Wendy (Lindsey) Boyes, Michael (Cathryn) Jacobs; nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and stepfather, Dennis Roberts; in-laws Jim Armstrong, Jerry and Glenn Coshatt; as well as former in-laws and wives, Catherine Thompson Stuart (1988-98) and Annmarie Mills Jacobs (1999-2015). Those left behind will never forget him and those in Heaven are celebrating his arrival.

A celebration of life will be held in Gene’s honor on February 24th, 2024 at 10:30am at Piedmont Church; 570 Piedmont Road, Marietta, GA. 30066. Scott Huskins will be officiating. A reception will be held immediately following the service for family and friends to gather and share a meal.

Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com