Obituaries
Preston Eugene McDuffie, 66, died March 10, 2023Preston Eugene “Gene” McDuffie, aged 66, from Memphis, Tennessee, passed away from a heart attack on March 10, 2023.Gene was born on August 1, 1956 to Preston Stancil McDuffie (1929 - 1998) and Elfie Schmidt McDuffie (1938 - 2002) in Mobile, Alabama. The McDuffie family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee in 1964. Gene grew up in the Canada Gardens Subdivision in Memphis and attended Winchester Elementary School and Hillcrest High School in Whitehaven. He graduated Hillcrest in 1974 and attended Memphis State University. In 1974 he met and fell in love with Donna Rose Precise and the two married in 1980. The couple raised four amazing and cherished children, Brandon, Emilie, Rebekah and Sarah. Gene worked in the grocery business since he was 16 years old. In his 50 year career he worked at Giant Foods, Mega Market, Piggly Wiggly and CashSaver, all located in the Whitehaven area of Memphis. Gene began as a night stocker at Giant Foods, then apprenticed to become a meat cutter, became a Journeyman, and eventually Assistant Meat Market Manager and ultimately Meat Market Manager of the four stores. Gene was a member of UFCW Local 1529, and he was a Certified Food Safety Manager with National Food Safety Professionals. Gene’s hobbies included his love for guitars, knives and guns. He loved old Western movies with John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Robert Duvall, Robert Redford. His favorite movie was Last of the Mohicans and he loved the area in North Carolina where it was filmed. Favorite musicians included Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn, to name only two! Gene is survived by his wife of 43 years, Donna Precise McDuffie, son, Brandon Eugene McDuffie, daughters, Emilie Rose Garrett, Rebekah “Bekah” Lee McDuffie and husband Thomas Whitehead, all of Memphis, Tennessee. And daughter, Sarah Caitlin Lowrie and husband Robert Lowrie of Clarkston, Michigan. Also his brother and sister, Tommy McDuffie, and Linda McDuffie Goss (John) of Walls, Mississippi. Gene and Donna have five beautiful, brilliant, silly, imaginative, and so much loved grandchildren: Ilia Rose, Eliza Lee, and Phoebe McCall Lowrie of Clarkson, Michigan. Gene’s namesake, Preston Marshall Garrett, and Gweneth Rose Garrett of Memphis, Tennessee. These babies loved their Pops and he adored them all! Gene is also survived by countless, long-time friends, co-workers, employees, vendors, and customers that shopped with him over the years. A private family viewing will be held on March 23, 2023 at Serenity Funeral Home, 1632 Sycamore View Road, Memphis, Tennessee. A Celebration of Life will be held in June. Friends and extended family members who would like to attend, please email your information to dpmcduffie@gmail.com In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Memphis Union Mission, Project Designation: Moriah House. In Memory Of: Gene McDuffie. Online at memphisunionmission.org/donate or by mail to Memphis Union Mission, P.O. Box 1938, Memphis, TN 38101-1938 Phone: 901-526-8403
Serenity Funeral Home (901)379-0861.
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23
Mar
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
