Gene Weldon Fambrough

Gene Weldon Fambrough, 81, of Davis Prairie (Groesbeck), passed away at CHI St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

Visitation will be Friday, January 31, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 1, 2020 in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with his nephews, Larry Fambrough and Brian Fambrough performing the service.  Music will be provided by singers from the Church of Christ of Groesbeck, led by Eddie Plummer.  Burial will follow in Cobb Cemetery, with Larry Wilson assisting at the graveside.

Pallbearers will be Jason Fambrough, Adam Fambrough, Jeb Fambrough, Cole Fambrough, Randy Fambrough, Caylen Willingham, and Justin Gabel.   Honorary pallbearers will be Laura Fambrough, Emily Willingham, Audrey Bernel, Britt Fambrough, Cynthia Gabel, and the Teague Class of ’56.

Gene was born July 7, 1938 to Anderson G. and Ida Lee Fambrough in Teague.  He was a proud member of the Teague High School Class of 1956. 

Gene began preaching at an early age and continued as long as health permitted.  He attended and preached at the Davis Chapel Church of Christ and once a month at the 7^th. and Mulberry Church of Christ in Teague (where he had been baptized at age 13, on the same night as his mother was baptized.)

Gene was united in marriage with Nona Norsworthy, whom he had met at church through friends.   They married at the friend's home in Houston on October 19, 1961. 

Early in life, he drove trucks for his brother-in-law, along with his brothers.  He held numerous other jobs before getting a job at Dow-Badische.   He and Nona lived in Lake Jackson until he retired from BASF after 30 years.   Some years before, they had purchased part of the J.W. Ferrill land, and after retiring moved to Limestone County.

Gene enjoyed working in his shop doing woodworking, building porch swings and gliders, wood chairs, making windchimes, and many other items.  Many people own a part of the work of his hands from items he sold at local craft shows, with the help of his wife Nona.  He estimated he had made over 1000 wind chimes, and used to sell 11-15 a month at a little craft store in Robbins plus those sold at the Groesbeck annual craft and Holiday Gift shows.  An article in the Groesbeck Journal in 2008 claimed that although Bob Wills was recognized as the king of Western Swing, Gene Fambrough was the king of country swings.  He donated large and smaller items for many years to the Limestone County Crimestoppers' Auction.   Gene always enjoyed meeting and talking with his buddies at breakfast at Mary’s Breakfast and Burger Barn. 

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Odelle and Odell Aldridge; brother and sister-in-law, Anderson B. and Nell Fambrough; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richie and Ardis Norsworthy; special cousin, Sydney Windham; and great nephew, Ryan Fambrough.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nona Fambrough; daughter, Sandy Fambrough; son and daughter-in-law, Weldon and Mary Fambrough; grandchildren, Jason Fambrough and Laura Fambrough; brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Janie Fambrough; nephews, Randy Fambrough, Larry and wife Kayla Fambrough, Brian and wife Liz Fambrough, Adam Fambrough; niece, Cynthia Gabel; and great-great nephew, Jayce Willingham.