Eugene Wallace

Eugene Edward “Gene” Wallace, 78, died Saturday, November, 15, 2025, at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula following a short illness. A resident of Big Point, Gene was a retired electrician and a U.S. Army veteran.

Born May 7, 1947, in Berea, KY., Gene moved with his family to south Mississippi in 1960 and resided in Jackson County for most of the remainder of his life. He followed his father, the late E.L. Wallace, into the electrical trade.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Meynier Wallace; his parents, E.L. and Avis Wallace; sister, Betty Katherine “Kathy” Deihl; and brothers-in-law, Clayton Ely and Woody Deihl. Survivors include his daughters, Michelle Smith (Stuart Bynum) of Gautier and Colleen Smith (Avery Webb) of Silverdale, Wash.; brothers, James “Tuffy” Wallace of Big Point and Billy Wayne (Deborah) Wallace of Grand Bay, Ala.; and sisters, Janet Ely of Big Point and Faye (Preston) Eiland of Helena; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The oldest of six children, Gene graduated from East Central High School in Hurley, Miss., in 1965. After serving in the Army during the Vietnam era, he worked as an electrician throughout the country before resettling in Jackson County in the early 1980s.

Gene was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 903in Gulfport, and was part of the Fraternal Order of Linemen and Electricians (AKA, “FLE”). He was also a member of American Legion Post 42 in Ocean Springs.

In 1985, Gene was introduced to the love of his life, Irene, by a family friend. They married the following year and remained united — residing in the Latimer community — until her death in 2009.

A talented “shade tree” mechanic and all-around handyman, Gene enjoyed fixing cars for family members, working with his hands in any way he could and watching football and old Western movies. Dedicated to doing his civic duty, Gene would schedule vacation time around making sure he was home to vote on election day.

The Wallace family will receive visitors at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs (911 Porter Ave.) beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m. Burial will take place in a private ceremony.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Eugene Edward “Gene” Wallace.