Gene Melvin Greer, 85, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, at CentralMississippi Medical Center in Jackson of heart failure. Visitationis 5 until 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 4 and after 10 a.m. Friday atLakewood Funeral Home on Clinton Boulevard. Funeral services willbe 11 a.m. on Friday in the funeral home chapel on ClintonBoulevard with burial at Lakewood Memorial Park South.

Mr. Greer was a member of Parkway Baptist Church in Clinton forthe past 10 years and previously a member of Daniel MemorialBaptist Church in Jackson.

Mr. Greer was a longtime employee of Kimbrough InvestmentCompany as a financial and mortgage officer. Mr. Greer served inthe U.S. Air Force from June 30, 1943, until he retired as a Majorin Nov. 30, 1963. Major Greer trained as a pilot, flying 110 hoursin the B-17 Bombers. He was also trained in the B-29 Bomber. AfterWorld War II ended, Major Greer was selected to be the onlyfinancial officer at bases located in the Philippines, England,Canada and the United States. On leave from the Philippines, MajorGreer met his wife of 48 years, Dixie Kathryn Brister.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Allie McCullough Greerand Garrett Greer; and his wife, Dixie.

Survivors include his brother, Harry Greer of Ferriday, La.; hisdaughters, Amy Whitton and son-in-law Lonnie, of Clinton, andSylvia McBeath and son-in-law Kim, of Vicksburg. He is alsosurvived by two grandchildren, Lyndsay Kathryn Whitton, of Flowood,and Landon David Whitton, of Clinton.; and three nieces and onenephew.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff ofFresenius Dialysis Center, Dr. Wilson Parry, Dr. Tom Joiner andoffice staff, the staff at CMMC hospital and the retirees fromSykes Park Community Center. Also, they would also like to thankHilda Fitzgerald, the men in the Sunday School class of Travis Dye,Brother Ken Anderson and Sister Gayle Garrett of Parkway BaptistChurch.

Memorials may be made to Parkway Baptist Church or FirstPresbyterian Church of Vicksburg.

Friends are invited to sign the online guest book atwww.lakewoodfuneralhomes.com.