Gene Routh

Earnest Eugene “Gene” Routh, age 83, of New Hope Road, Denton, NC, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on August 12, 2026.

A funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Friendship Baptist Church, Randleman, with Pastor Landon Flinchum and Pastor Ralph Pugh officiating. Burial will follow at New Hope Methodist Church Cemetery, Denton.

Gene is survived by his beloved wife of more than 64 years, Anna Lanier Routh; his children, Regina Hunt (Bruce) and Donald Routh (Kristi); his grandchildren, Elizabeth Scheinert (Cal), Troy Hunt (McKenzie), Mason Hunt (Haleigh), Luke Routh (Sierra), and Coleman Routh; his great-grandchildren, Hunt McCoy Scheinert and Joanna Beth Scheinert; and his sister, Shirley Routh Griffin. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who were a special part of his life.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin “Bill” Routh and Clara Earnhart Routh; his brothers, Hurley Routh and Harold Routh; and his sister, Lilly May Thompson.

Gene was a simple, hardworking man who found his greatest happiness in the things that mattered most—his faith, his family, his church, and his farm. He was a loving husband, a devoted Daddy and Pappaw, a faithful Christian, and a good man whose quiet and steady presence meant more to his family than words can express.

Gene grew up in the Tabernacle community, attending Tabernacle Elementary School and Farmer High School. Years later, he returned to school and proudly earned his high school diploma from Randolph Community College.

Gene shared his life with his high school sweetheart, Anna. Together, they built a life centered around faith, family, hard work, and love. Gene loved being a Daddy and Pappaw, and his family always knew they could depend on him. Many of his greatest lessons were taught simply by the way he lived. He worked hard, took care of his family, helped others, kept his word, and stayed faithful to the Lord.

Gene was never afraid of hard work. As a young man, he worked as a mason and later at B.B. Walker Shoes. He spent much of his career in the furniture industry, serving as a supervisor with Stuart Furniture and later Klaussner Furniture until his retirement.

But if you really knew Gene, you knew how much he loved his farm. He loved raising cows, being outdoors, and knowing what was happening around him. Even when his health no longer allowed him to work, Gene enjoyed sitting near the fields with a glass of Anna's sweet tea, watching his son and grandsons carry on the work he had done for so many years. The farm was more than land to him; it was home, filled with a lifetime of hard work and family memories. There was comfort in knowing that the farm he had worked and cared for would continue in the hands of the family he loved so dearly.

Gene also deeply loved the Lord and his church family. As a founding member of Friendship Baptist Church in Asheboro, he faithfully served the church for many years. He helped lay the masonry for the church's first location. Years later, when the church stepped out in faith to build a new facility, Gene once again answered the call to serve. As a trustee, he took seriously the responsibility of helping make sure the church met its financial obligations. He wanted to see the church succeed, not because he wanted recognition or praise, but simply because he loved his church and believed in its ministry.

Through the years, Gene also served as a deacon and Sunday School Superintendent and sang in the choir. Friendship Baptist Church was not simply where Gene went on Sundays; it was his church home, and its people were his church family.

Gene leaves behind a family who will miss him in more ways than they can count. They will miss his voice and his stories. They will miss seeing him at home and simply knowing he was there. They will miss those ordinary, everyday things that did not seem particularly important at the time but now feel incredibly precious. They will miss the familiar presence of a man who had simply always been there.

There is a deep sadness that comes with saying goodbye to someone who has been such a steady part of your life for so many years. Gene's place at home will be empty. His familiar voice will be missed. The farm will not feel quite the same without him watching over things. And there will always be moments when his family wishes they could sit with him one more time, hear one more story, or share one more glass of sweet tea.

Gene loved the Lord, and because of that, his family does not grieve without hope. The hands that worked so hard have been stilled. The burdens of age and illness have been laid down. And the man who spent his life caring for his family, working his land, serving his church, and trusting his Lord has gone home.

For those who loved him, this is goodbye for now—but not forever.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Hospice of Randolph County and the members of Friendship Baptist Church for the kindness, prayers, love, and support shown to Gene and his family during his illness.