Gene Maze, 97, finished his last project here on earth and passed away at home in Ooltewah on September 14, 2023. He served in the United States Marine Corp during WWII. He earned a Purple Heart during the invasion of Iwo Jima and ended his service with an honorable discharge. After four years of military service and other jobs, including school bus driver for Wirt County, WV in the 70's, Gene began his own home rental business, which he worked along side with his loving wife of almost 43 years, Rosalind, until 2021. He enjoyed early morning yard sales and gardening; he stayed busy with projects around the house and refurbishing many "treasures" he found at the area yard sales. He loved to show the antiques he would find and explain what it was and how to use it - many times, people had no clue what the item was, but Gene knew what it was, how to use it and what it was worth!
Gene was a born again Christian and a faithful member of Greenwood Baptist Church. One of his life desires was that his whole family would be saved soon. Also, he would remind you to "live right, do and be good." His saying "be good" could be interpreted, "I love you." He would usually say that to the ones he loved as one left a visit or phone conversation.
Gene is preceded in death by his father, Albert Maze; his mother, Lona Maze; his sister, Hope Halstead; his son, Larry Maze; and his step-son, Jimmy.
Gene will be deeply missed by his surviving family members, wife, Rosalind Maze; daughters, Sabrina Edwards (Mike) and Lisa McVey (Tony); step-son, Mike Swindall (Kathy); step-daughter, Sandy Johnson (Barry); granddaughters, Jessica Edwards, Amber Swindall, Ashley Pike, Kristi McKeown and Amanda Swindall; grandsons, David Swindall, Keith Johnson and Adam Swindall; great-granddaughters, Kailey Harmon, Payton Pike, Emma Swindall, Emily McKeown, Caroline McKeown and Jada Swindall; and great-grandsons, Elijah Waggoner, Gaeb Swindall and Grant Swindall.
Visitation will be Saturday, Sept. 30 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., followed by Gene's memorial service at 1 p.m. The visitation and service will be held at Greenwood Baptist Church, 8529 Snow Hill Road in Ooltewah.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to Greenwood Baptist Church is appreciated. Please specify on the check, in the memo line, the donation is for "Mission My Town."