Eugene Free

Eugene Free, age 74, of Alto, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, Georgia, following an extended illness.

Mr. Free was born on April 27, 1936, in Clarkesville, Georgia. He was the son of the late Albert B. Potts and Gladys Elaine Free. Mr. Free was also preceded in death by his brother, Glenn Noblet and his sister, Linda Burke. He was a retired machinist from American Bag and Linen. Mr. Free was a member of Unity Baptist Church.

Survivors include his loving wife, Shirley A. Free, Alto, GA; sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffery and Kathy Crane, Cornelia, GA and Greg and Barbara Ellingson, Clarkesville, GA; brothers, Lane Free, Demorest, GA and Kenneth Noblet, California; grandchildren, Joseph Crane, Bradley Crane, Cassie Barrett, and Jordin Ellingson; great-grandchildren, Carter and Carson Crane, Jaycey and Jayley Crane, and Maddox and Brady Barrett; and step-grandchildren, Tyler and Riley Slaton.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, Georgia with Rev. Wesley Purcell and Rev. Marty Kilby officiating. Interment will follow in Unity Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Tim Beasley officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2011, at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, Georgia. At other times, the family will be at the residence of Jeffery and Kathy Crane, 2295 Level Grove Road, Cornelia, Georgia 30531.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2565 Thompson Bridge Road, Suite 114, Gainesville, Georgia 30501.