William "Gene" Smallwood

William Eugene "Gene" Smallwood, 42, of Gastonia, formerly of Asheboro, died Tuesday, May 9, 2017 in Gastonia. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 11, 2017, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Randolph Memorial Park. Gene was born June 11, 1974 in Washington D.C. He was a graduate of Southwestern Randolph High School and earned his B.S. at High Point University. Gene worked as a paralegal at Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo, LLP, in Charlotte. He was a loving, hardworking and caring person. An avid sports fan, Gene especially enjoyed basketball and was a diehard Duke fan. He loved his family. He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Cousins Smallwood; grandparents, Kent and Julia Dellinger Smallwood, Sydney and Dorothy Thomas Wright; and his uncle, Malcolm "Pee Wee" Wright. Survivors include his father, Bruce Smallwood of Martinsville, VA; sister, Michelle L. Schadt and husband, Chris of Asheboro; brothers, Michael E. Smallwood of Hartfield, VA, Gregory L. Smallwood and wife, Vivian of Eau Claire, WI; uncles, Steve Smallwood, Danny Smallwood and wife, Ellen, David Smallwood and wife, Angie, Orien Smallwood and wife, Jackie; aunt, Jeannette Wright; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, prior to the service.