Edward Eugene "Gene" Holland, 63, of Franklin, entered into rest on Friday, December 24, 2004.

A native of Macon County, he was the son of Claude Holland and the late Britta Lee Teague Holland. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a brother, Doyle Holland. Gene was a retired long distance truck driver for 39 years. He was a member of the Coon Club and was a member of Tilly Creek Baptist Church. Gene loved making music with his guitar, liked restoring antique cars and was a Nascar fan. He will be missed by his family and friends.

In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife, Faye Carver Holland; four children, Brenda Norman of Franklin, Tony Eugene Holland of Hickory, NC, Lisa Buchanan of Montana and Adam Holland of Friendsville, TN; two step children, Rita Scott, Peggy Ann Cowart and Melvin Ray Houston all of Franklin; one brother, Gary Holland of Griffin, GA; three sisters, Vera Guise of Cullowhee, Darry Lee Bryson of Cullowhee and Debbie Menke of Auburn, Illinois; 11 grandchildren; 6 step grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, December 27, in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Verlin Bryson and Rev. Melvin Ray Houston will officiate. Burial will be in the Mountain Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Monday, at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Randy Moore, Tony Lee Holland, Randy McCoy, Greg Carpenter, Jimmy Keener and David Green.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mountain Grove Baptist Church or the Cemetery Fund, C/O Ruby Henry, 11 Grandview Court, Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.