Eugene Erwin

Eugene H. Erwin Mr. Eugene Hilbert Erwin, 83, long-time Maury County farmer and businessman, went to be with his Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ Saturday, August 9th 2003 at Life Care Center of Columbia. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, August 13th at 12:OOPM at McCain's Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Pastor David McGregor and Pastor Mike Dawson officiating. Burial will be in the McCain's Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery with military honors at the graveside provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post No. 19. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 4 - 8 PM at the Oakes and Nichols Funeral home and Wednesday from 10 -12:00 PM at the McCain's Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McCain's Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, Alzheimer's Association or American Cancer Society. The Maury County native was the son of the late Ethelbert Hamilton "Bert" and Elizabeth Lavenia "Lizzie" Moore Erwin. He was a member of the Mynders Chapter of the Andrew Jackson Literary Society and the Columbia Military Academy graduating Class of 1939. During World War II, he served proudly in the U. S. Army in the European Theatres of Operation, was awarded the Bronze Star and European Theatre Ribbon with two Battle Stars. He was a longtime member and friend of the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post No. 19. Mr. Erwin and family members built and operated the Columbia Bowling Center while managing the family dairy farm with his brother near Bigbyville, Tennessee. He was a member of the McCain's Cumberland Presbyterian Church and for many years served as elder and Clerk of Session for his Lord and this congregation. Active in civic and community affairs, he was at one time the youngest elected Magistrate of the County, where he served for approximately 20 years. He was a former member of the Columbia Kiwanis Club and worked closely with the organization and their relationship with the agricultural community. He also served as a board member of the Maury County Farmers Cooperative for many years. Mr. Erwin was a recent recipient of a Certificate of Honor for being an owner of a Century Farm in Maury County (Pleasant Valley Farm). He was also recently recognized as a First Families of Maury County - Pioneer Class by the Genealogical Society of Maury County. He was married July 17, 1938 to the late Rena Pearl Logue Erwin of Columbia, who died March 3, 2000. Survivors include two sons, David Michael (Ruth) Erwin and Ronnie Eugene (Lynn) Erwin, both of Columbia; one granddaughter, Bethany Michele (Christopher) Owen of Duluth Minnesota, and one sister, Mary Margaret Erwin (Monroe) Lovell; step-grandchildren, Emily Spitzer, Jon Spitzer and Matt (Kelli) Spitzer; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Bettie Lee Erwin McCord and two brothers, W. Donald Erwin and Jonas B. "Bert" Erwin. Active pallbearers are Dean Erwin, Allen Foster, Joe Dennis Logue, Monroe Lovell, Virgil H. Moore, Robert N. Moore, Wayne Troope, and Richard Williams. Honorary pallbearers are Brooks Aldridge, Robert Fox, Gerald Martin, Jack Willis, H. P. Woody, Mr. Erwin's caregivers, Dr. Houston Jameson and Dr. John Worthman and staff of Columbia Oncology, staff of the Alzheimer's Special Care Unit of Life Care Center of Columbia, and members of the McCain's Cumberland Presbyterian Church.