In the beginning, God created Willie Eugene Merriweather, Sr., on October 26, 1944. His creation here on earth began in Louisville, Georgia, to the late Willie and Rhoda Mae Merriweather. They both welcomed their creative and crafty, healthy baby boy into the world.

In the era in which Genie Boy, his family name, was born, hard work, loyalty, commitment, and family were the ties that bound him and his five siblings-Roxe, Elizabeth, Mark, Gladys, and Bertha-together. His parents later moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he grew up and attended primary school and his later years as a student at Dillard High School. He decided as a young man to enlist in the United States Air Force on May 6, 1965, to serve his country. He was able to reach his accomplishments as a ranking Sergeant and received an Honorable character of completed service.

He would then go on to meet his current wife, Linda Williams, for over four decades together. He was the devoted father of 5 children: Kimberly, Terrence, Latavia (Buffy), Willie Jr, and Chauncey. With his military training in analytical, mathematical, and technical skills, he gravitated toward becoming a HVAC certified technician. He was employed for 30 years at Sears Department Store as a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician. After his completed years of service and his newly acquired skills, along with the Merriweather Family's true grit, he set out to achieve the American Dream with hard work-that was to acquire his own business. His business is known to others as Genes Air Condition and Appliances. He served his people and community with loyalty and quality service. He was the go-to family man who could take care of anything around the house that needed to be fixed, from repairing a car, air conditioning, or appliances. What took you a manual to read, he understood and completed in a few minutes. "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord."

Psalm 122 held special meaning for Gene and his wife, Linda. They both loved serving the Lord at Redeeming Word Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and were active members under the leadership of Pastor Ed and Yvette Brinson. He was involved on the usher board, and his wife with the women's ministry. Both have a green thumb and a love of gardening. Everything they touched seemed to flourish. They both volunteered at their church, gardening and landscaping, always being busy bees together. They both moved to Valdosta, Georgia, eight years ago and were visiting members at New Life and Union Baptist Church. Family like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one.

In addition to his wife and children, he was also loved and cherished by his eighteen grand-children: Kimberly Wooten, daughter, and husband Elijah Wooten Sr., reside in West Palm Bch: Elijah Jr, Jeremiah Terrence Merriweather Sr., and LaKisha reside in Augusta, Georgia: Terrence Jr, deceased, Santreece, Corey, Bryanna, Torrence, MaKiyah, Caleel, Luivana Latavia Stuart, daughter, reside in Florida: Sydney, Bria Willie Jr, son, and wife Ashlyn reside in California: Aminah, Alleana, Imani, and Willow Chauncey Merriweather Sr., son, and wife LaSharra reside in Valdosta, Georgia: Kharmai, Chauncey Jr, Maverick Merriweather and his twenty great grand-children along with nieces, nephews and extended family.

Gene will be dearly missed for the remarkable man, mentor, supporter, and provider he was. Family was always first in his life, and we will forever treasure the legacy he leaves behind. His love, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to those he cherished will continue to inspire generations to come.