Bethel Springs, TN: Gerene Underwood age 81 passed away January 24, 2021 at Jackson Madison County General Hospital.
He was born April 7, 1939 in Russellville, Yale County, AR, the son of the late Ray and Theo Hillard Underwood. He grew up in Hughes, AR and picked cotton in his youth at seventeen, he moved to Rochelle, IL and worked in a canning factory before landing a job at Caron International a textile factory there in Rochelle, He worked there for over thirty five years before retiring.
He married Iva Wilson on August 25, 1956. They made their home in Bethel Springs about twenty years ago. He raised chickens, ducks, cows, llamas and goats. He enjoyed growing watermelons, cantaloupes, cucumbers and tomatoes.
Mr. Underwood is survived by his wife, Iva Sharon Wilson Underwood of Bethel Springs; three daughters, Laura Ysco of Compton, IL, Lois Rorah (Donald) of Lakeland, FL and Kathy Shorter (Edward) of Bethel Springs; ten grandchildren, twenty seven great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Patsy Tate of Mississippi and Betty Sue Rose of Marion, AR; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandchild, April French, a great grandchild, Kayd Shorter and sisters, Vera Christian, Alice Duncan, Lois Mullivain and Hazel Leffelman and brothers, Bud Underwood, Leon Underwood and Jim Underwood.
The family will receive friends at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue Chapel 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM on Thursday, January 28th 2021.
Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Thursday, February 4th, 2021 at the Torman Funeral Home in Paw Paw, IL. Visitation will be from 12 pm until the time of the service. Burial will follow in Melugin Grove Cemetery in Compton, IL.
