Eugene Daughtry

Eugene Daughtry was born on May 8, 1926, in Cordova, Alabama, and died on April 29, 2022 in Mary Esther, Florida, where he was living with his daughter and son-in-law.  He lived most of his life in Birmingham, Alabama. Gene graduated in 1944 from Woodlawn High School where he played varsity basketball for the Woodlawn Colonels and was recognized as an All-State forward on the team.  Basketball remained his favorite sport throughout his life. He served in the Navy during World War II, stationed in the Philippines as a radio operator.  Returning from the war, Gene attended Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham, Alabama on the G.I. Bill, majoring in accounting.  He possessed an annoying ability to solve complicated math problems in his head!  Upon graduation from Howard, he started work for Grayson Lumber Company/Warwick Development Company in Birmingham, Alabama and worked there until he retired. Gene loved playing and/or watching all sports.  In 1948 Gene and a group of his classmates at Howard College formed The Sportsmen’s Club with the purpose of restarting the football program at the college.  He served as Business Manager for a year while the group fielded a team to play on the club level.  They were so successful that the college administration agreed to reinstate football at Howard College the next year. As a young man, he served as a coach for community youth sports teams and continued in later years to mentor his grandsons and great grandchildren in swimming, golf, fishing, and basketball.  On August 20, 1987, Gene accomplished the rare golfing feat of making a Hole-in-One on the 11th hole at Stillwaters Resort in Dadeville, Alabama. The times he spent with family were very special to Gene.  One of the unique gifts he shared with his daughter and grandsons was telling bedtime stories of his own creation.  He was patient beyond all reason and his quiet demeanor was a model of his love for his family.  He dearly loved his daughter and grandsons, and was grateful to have had the opportunity to know his three great-grandchildren.  After retirement, Gene traced the genealogy of the Daughtry family back to their origin in Ireland, England, and Germany. He and the love of his life, Dorothy Lou Norris, were married for 73 years.  They enjoyed playing bridge with a group of friends from high school and college for many years.  He was active in the alumni group from Woodlawn High School, and rode in the Birmingham Veterans’ Day Parade with his buddies for a number of years.  Gene and Dot spent many happy times traveling around the U.S. and Europe.  The couple loved to dance to the music of the Big Band era.   Gene and Dot were strong fans of the Atlanta Braves through thick and thin, but the best times may have been faithfully attending Auburn football games.  The 2021-2022 Auburn basketball team kept Gene going in the final days of his life! In addition to sports, Gene’s hobbies and interests were quite varied, including gardening, woodworking, and crossword puzzles.  He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Lion’s Club, and business credit union.  A man of strong faith, Gene taught Sunday School, served as Youth Group Leader, and was an ordained Deacon and Elder in the Presbyterian Church.  He was a charter member of Huffman Presbyterian Church and Oakmont Presbyterian Church, and was a long-time devoted member of Shades Valley Presbyterian Church and Southminster Presbyterian Church.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy Lou Norris Daughtry; his parents, Grady and Myrtle Powell Daughtry; and his sisters, Ernestine Daughtry Garner, Joyce Daughtry Pierson, and Betty Daughtry Pruitt. 

Gene is survived by his daughter, Sharon Daughtry Schuler (John); grandsons, Andy Acton and Ben Acton (Rachel); great-grandchildren, Katie Acton, Davis Acton, and Nate Acton; beloved nieces and nephews; and dear friends from 95 years of life.  Special thanks to Vitas Hospice and Home Instead Senior Care for the kind and compassionate care they gave him.  A graveside service will be held at a future date at Southern Heritage Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama.  The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that memorial gifts be made to Southminster Presbyterian Church, 1124 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of Fort Walton Beach.