OBITUARIES: In Memory BUSBY, Gordon Levon
Gordon Levon Busby, 84, passed away on October 28, 2020, surrounded by family in Rome, Georgia.
Gordon was born on April 23, 1936, in Henegar, Alabama to the late Dilmus W. and Ernie Sims Busby. After graduating from Berry High School, he entered the United States Air Force where he studied electronics and worked on communication systems in airplanes. During his service, he helped write tests for incoming airmen and received two commendation medals for outstanding performance.
He married Patsy Lonette “Pat” Watkins in 1958 after a very short courtship, mostly through letter writing while he was stationed at Goose Bay, Labrador.After serving in the United States Air Force for 20 years, Gordon retired and got a job at Bekaert in Rome. At Bekaert, Gordon was an electronic technician where he worked on steel wire; he built his own test equipment. Gordon retired from Bekaert in 1997. His hobbies included working in his yard, woodworking, traveling, gardening, watching local high school sports, coaching softball, and building hope chests for his daughters and granddaughters. Gordon valued hard work and good character, and he enjoyed making people laugh.
Gordon is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Pat; his brother, Winford Busby; his children Tammy (Bill) Hopkins, Kara (Randy) Alexander, Gary Busby, Sharon Busby, and Mark (Shari) Busby; 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Gordon Levon Busby, Jr.
Gordon will be laid to rest on Wednesday, November 4 at 2:00 PM, at Oaknoll Memorial Gardens with Dr. - rial donations in Gordon’s name may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Women’s and Children’s ministries in Rome, Roots of Hope Malawi, or Samaritan’s Purse.
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, has charge of the funeral arrangements. ganizations, including Junior Service League, Garden Club and the American Diabetes Association.
Jeanne Marie served in several different professional roles, but the one that brought her the most joy was her role as Children’s Director at Rome First United Methodist Church. She grew up in the Methodist church and her relationship with the church family was very important to her. She was devoted to the children, the church and its members. In addition to her work with the church, she also worked at Berry College and Floyd Medical Center.
Outside of her professional and community activities, her passions included gardening, cooking elaborate meals, and, above all, her beach trips with family and friends. Even as her health declined, these continued to bring her great joy.
The family will hold a private memorial service Friday, November 6. There are plans to have a public “Celebration of Life” at a later may be made to Rome First United Methodist Church, Good Neighbor Ministries Inc. of Rome, GA or United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). ment, she taught business at Rome High School. She was a member of Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Bill M. Wilson, to whom she was married on July 23, 1991; Bill’s daughter, Mary Stevens (Lonnie), Smyrna, TN; Bill’s son, John Alex “Jack” Wilson, Edmonton, KY; 2 sisters, Mary Jo Dickenson, Walland, TN, and Eva Clark (John), Maryville, TN; a brother, Randall Mccarter (Maxine), Maryville, TN; 5 grandchildren, Devin Hampton (B. J.), Tara Wilson, Hannah Stevens, Jacob Stevens, and Zachary Stevens; 4 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Private graveside services will be held later in Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery in Walland, TN.
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel, has charge of the funeral arrangements.