Eugene Augustus Stansel, Jr (Gene) went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 25, 2024 after living with prostate cancer for the past 17 years. He was a committed husband, father, church member, community member, and friend.

Gene was born on August 24, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee to Eugene A. Stansel, Sr and Elizabeth Richey Stansel of Ruleville, MS.  He grew up on his family's farm in Sunflower County and attended school in Ruleville until his junior year in high school when he transferred to Memphis University School (MUS). Following graduation from MUS, he entered Vanderbilt University, where he was a proud member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He graduated from Vanderbilt in 1964 with a degree in English before returning home to farm.

In July 1965, Gene married the love of his life, Jere Gibert Stansel from Perthshire, MS.

Gene and Jere lived in Ruleville for over 20 years where Gene farmed and they raised a family. From the outset, Gene was dedicated not only to his family and to his work but also to church and to civic involvement. He was ordained an Elder at First Presbyterian Church (US) in Cleveland, MS in 1977. In 1982, he served as an organizing elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) also in Cleveland. He was a past Moderator of Covenant Presbytery (PCA).  In Ruleville, he served on two school boards, a savings & loan board, a cooperative elevator board, and the Sunflower County FHA board. He held positions with the Sunflower County Farm Bureau and Sunflower County ASCS Committee. He was designated an Outstanding Young Farmer, and he co-founded a manufacturing business.

In 1985, Gene, Jere and their three daughters moved to Greenwood, MS where Gene worked for Staplcotn for 23 years, eventually serving as Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Secretary. He was a dedicated member of Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCA), and served as an Elder and then Elder Emeritus in that congregation. He also proudly served as the chairman of the building committee for Westminster, and he sang in the choir for many years. In Greenwood, he served 15 years as one of only three commissioners for Greenwood Utilities. He also served on an advisory board of Planters Bank and Trust Co., as a Director of Golden Age and as an organizing board member of the Greenwood MS Cemetery Association. He was a member and former President of the Greenwood Rotary Club, and the past president of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce. He was the past Director of Main Street Greenwood, Inc., and he served on BellSouth's initial Customer Advisory Board. He and Jere were members of Greenwood Country Club.

Gene loved playing golf, gardening, and reading. He especially loved traveling with Jere, visiting all 50 states and at least 20 foreign countries.

Gene is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jere. He is survived by his three daughters, Julie (Mrs. David) Skinner of Philadelphia, PA, Martha (Mrs. Bill) Boyd of Oxford, MS, and Catharine (Mrs. Brad) Matthews of St. Louis, MO, and his eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Tanous, William Boyd, John David Skinner, Joshua Skinner, August Boyd, Betsy Boyd, Richard Boyd, and Dottie Matthews. He is also survived by his sister, Martha Stansel Schouten of Fayence, France.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Janette Echols and her wonderful team of caregivers at Complete Healthcare Services as well as Vital Caring Hospice.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024. A private burial for family will be held that morning at Lehrton Cemetery in Ruleville, followed by a celebration of life at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenwood at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Westminster before the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or Delta Streets Academy.