Gene Sherfey Obituary

Gene Sherfey

October 25, 1947 -

February 17, 2025

PINEY FLATS - Gene Sherfey, age 77 of Piney Flats, Tennessee passed away peacefully on February 17, 2025 at Johnson City Medical Center after a brief illness with cancer. He was born on October 25, 1947 in Sullivan County, Tennessee to Opal Riley Sherfey and the late Ralph Sherfey.

He was a member of Fordtown Baptist Church, where he attended since he was baptized at 11 years old. He graduated from Fall Branch High School. Following graduation He and Gail Jenkins were married, and he promptly was drafted to the army in 1967.

Gene returned from Korea, serving during the Vietnam Era and completed his bachelor's degree before starting his family. Gene spent his career working for Sprint as a contractor at Eastman Chemical Company. After his retirement Gene kept busy working at part-time jobs, most notably Food City.

Gene's hobbies were watching NASCAR racing and volunteering at the track, watching Tennessee Vols, and playing golf. He enjoyed riding his golf cart around the neighborhood.

Along with his father, Gene is preceded in death by his brothers, Tommy and Ronnie Sherfey, and sister, Yvonne Morrell.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Opal Riley Sherfey, loving wife of 57 years, Gail Jenkins Sherfey; daughters, Gina Chatman and husband Travis, Melissa Foster and husband Michael; Grandchildren, Garrett Johnson, Deanna Foster, and Colton Foster; step-grandchildren, Suzie and Joe Chatman, brother, Lynes Sherfey and wife Gerry, sisters, Carolyn Watts and husband Junior, Diane McCready and husband Charlie, sister-in-law, Kathy Denton-Jayne and friend Larry Jayne, as well as several nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 21, 2025 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at Morris-Baker Funeral Home. A funeral service will immediately follow at 12:00 pm with Travis Chatman officiating. A committal service will take place on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 2:00 pm in Hamlett-Dobson Cemetery, Mausoleum with Pastor Rick Keller officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family via www.morrisbaker.com.

Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E Oakland Ave, Johnson City, is serving the Sherfey family. (423) 282-1521