Gene Franklin Small

Gene Franklin Small, age 82, of Randleman, died peacefully at home, in his sleep, on February 14, 2016. Born in Randolph County on May 15, 1933, to Marvin Lewis and Claudia Frazier Small, he was the youngest of 7 children. He worked hard on the family farm in his early years, and graduated from Randleman High School. He joined the army, and in 1954, married Portia Alice Vickory. They spent most of their 47 years together in the Northern Virginia area where they raised their two girls. Master Sergeant Small retired from the Army in May of 1975. Concurrently, he spent many years serving in the White House Communications Agency, which sent him on many trips all over the world. In addition, he served as an electronic specialist with the Secret Service. After his second retirement, he and Alice moved back down to Randolph County to her old home place in Pleasant Garden. After losing Alice to cancer, Gene later married Bera Lou Shaw, and they spent 12 years together before her death in December. Mr. Small was also preceded in death by his parents; his twin who died at birth; brothers Fred, Ray, and Clyde Small; sisters Ollie Fruitt, and Ruth O'Brien, all of Randleman. Gene is survived by daughters Vicki Small Johnston of Pleasant Garden, NC, and Kristi Small Beaton of Maryville, TN and their husbands Charles and Gary; grandchildren: Alex Chapman, Hannah Beaton, Elijah Beaton, and Grace Harkins; sister: Millie Cooper of Randleman; step daughter, Joyce Harkins of Hilton Head, SC and step son George Davis and wife Patricia of Concord, NC; as well as many nieces, nephews and in-laws. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 20, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 600 Main Street, Randleman, NC. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 21, at the First United Methodist Church at 301 S Main Street, Randleman, with Rev. Jenna Grogan officiating. Afterwards, Mr. Small will be laid to rest at Level Cross United Methodist Church, 10142 US Highway 220 Bus N. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors or Samaritan's Purse.