Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, at Greenwood Delta Funeral Home for Gene Leflore Bidwell Jr., 71, of Carrollton, who died peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 21, at his residence. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery in Grenada. The Rev. Rickey Wheat will officiate.
Gene was born on Sept. 18, 1952, in Leflore County. He was a Godly man, who touched everyone with his kind heart and compassion. He was a man of integrity; he was the best of the best. Gene’s greatest joy was his family. He loved and adored his wife, Brenda. He was so proud of his son, Lee, and all of his accomplishments. There was something special about everyone in his family and he lived to love them all. Of course, a man like Gene had some of the greatest friends you could ever wish to find. Gene and Brenda always had a story to tell, a birthday party to attend or a grandchild to keep, but most importantly a Lord to serve. Gene will always be remembered as a faithful, kind-hearted, Godly man to all who knew him.
Gene was a graduate of Leflore County High School, Mississippi Delta Community College and Mississippi State University. He served in the Boy Scouts and earned the distinguished honor of Eagle Scout, and also served faithfully in the Mississippi Army National Guard. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Itta Bena where he served as a deacon, trustee, operated the acoustical equipment and was on the finance committee just to name a few of his areas of service. Gene met many people and made many friends throughout his more than 50 years in the concrete business.
His parents, Gene and Minnie Makamson Bidwell, and one grandchild, Jessie Bidwell, preceded Gene in death.
Survivors include, his wife of 23 years, Brenda Gillon Bidwell; his sons, Dr. Gene L. “Lee” Bidwell III (Josie) of Brandon and Clay Scott (Heather) of Carrollton; his daughters, Kim Goss (Chris) and Carie England, all of Grenada; sister, Ellen Dudley (Rodney) of Madison; nine grandchildren, Caleb Bidwell, Cambell Bidwell, Skyler Vance, Gunner Vance, Gage Vance, Mallory Little (Gage), Austin England, Rye Scott and Gillon Scott and two great grandchildren, Holson Little and Opal Hill England.
Pallbearers will be Richie Fulgham, Bo Prestidge, Phil Kelly, Randall Makamson, Ray Brasel and John Muse. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Mims and Wayne Aldridge.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the “Jessie Lynn Bidwell Memorial Scholarship Fund” in the UMMC School of Nursing. Please send online at www.umc.edu/givenow Under “Choose a Category,” select “School of Nursing.” Under “Designation,” click drop down arrow and select “Other.” Type “Jessie Lynn Bidwell Memorial Scholarship Fund” in the box.
Donors can also send checks to University of Mississippi Medical Center, Attn: Office of Development/Harold Brewer, 2500 North State St., Jackson, MS 39216. The family wishes to express their gratitude for this consideration.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.greenwooddeltafh.com
Greenwood Delta Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
