Gene Ray Cheek

Franklin, NC - Gene Ray Cheek, age 79, of Franklin, NC passed away Friday, December 16, 2011. Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late William Oliver and Jane Sorrells Cheek. He was married to Doris Anne Sorrells Cheek for 59 years. He was employed by Nantahala Power and Light Company for 30 years. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church; a lifetime member of Macon County Coon Hunters Club and a member of Nantahala Power and Light Company 25 Year Club. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Cathy Helen Cheek Lehnert of Franklin, NC; a son, Michael Eugene Cheek and wife Jessica of Franklin, NC; three sisters, Ann Sanders of Cornelia, GA, Helen Jacobs of Clayton, GA, and Ora Wykle of Franklin, NC and three brothers, Don Cheek of Tallulah Falls, GA and Jack Cheek and Jim Cheek both of Franklin, NC. Four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Tilley and Margie Baldwin and three brothers, Bill Cheek, Clyde Cheek and Sherrill Cheek.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 19, 2011 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Bryant Grant Funeral Home with Rev. Frank Rodriguez and Rev. Carl Carpenter officiating. Burial will be in Union United Methodist Church Cemetery. Chris Cheek, Mitchell Bowman, Justin Poindexter, Derek Lehnert, Jay Gwinn, Ralph Sanders, Johnny Cheek and David Cheek will serve as pallbearers. The Coon Hunters Club Members will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends Sunday, December 18, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace Baptist Church, c/o Doris Cheek, 15 Oliver Lane, Franklin, NC 28734.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.Online condolences are available by visiting bryantgrantfuneralhome.com or by email.