Burton Eugene "Gene" Rayburn

Burton Eugene "Gene" Rayburn, age 78, passed away Sunday evening, September 7, 2014, in Batesville, Mississippi. Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at Wells Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow in Forrest Memorial Park. The Rayburn family will receive friends Wednesday morning, beginning at 11:00 A.M. and continuing until the service. The Dr. Jeff Holland will be officiating the funeral service. Gene was born February 20, 1936 in Vicksburg, MS to the late Charles Burton Rayburn and Alma Rayburn Brown. He was a 1962 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.S. Degree in Recreation. One of his accomplishments in college, was that Gene became a Golden Glove Champion. Upon Gene's graduation, he went to Starke, FL as the director of the recreation department. While director, he coached and mentored numerous children in youth sports. In 1973, he returned to Mississippi as manager of John Kyle State Park until his retirement in 2001. Gene was an avid sports fan, but had a special passion for football. Gene loved to play golf and loved positive people with positive attitudes. Gene would refer to his home as "Paradise Point". One could always hear him say "Life is good". His greatest love was his immediate and extended family. Gene will be remembered most by his loving family, wife, Betty Luttrell Rayburn of Sardis, MS; three daughters, Pam Rayburn Queen (Billy) of Flowood, MS, Tami Rayburn Robison (Mack) of Batesville, MS, Sandra Alvarez of Starke, FL; step-daughter, Vicki Dubose (Kent) of Bell, FL; son, Stu Rayburn (Karla) of Waveland, MS; two step-sons, Richard Russell (Jutta) of Brunswick, GA, James Russell (June) of Charleston, MS; two brothers, Warren Rayburn of Laurel, MS, J.C. Rayburn of Clarksdale, MS; seven grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his first wife, Georgia Mims Rayburn; sister, Louise Rayburn Kraig, and three brothers, Kendrick, Joe, and Charles Rayburn. In lieu of flowers, the Rayburn family requests memorial donations be sent to the following charities, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.