Eugene Jerome Maier

Eugene (Gene) Jerome Maier, 83, died Sunday, March 5, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family who knew him as Coogie and Dan Dan. He was born November 28, 1939 in Aberdeen, Mississippi to Frank Beeks Maier, Sr. and Inez Johnson Maier. After graduating from Aberdeen High School, Gene attended Mississippi State University, graduating with a degree in Mathematics. Before beginning his lifelong career at Bellsouth, he proudly served in the US Army in Heidelberg, Germany as a 1st Lieutenant. He retired from Bellsouth after 34 years. Upon retiring and moving to Alabama, he worked at Oak Mountain State Park Golf Course Pro Shop for 18 years. He was a member of Helena United Methodist Church.

Gene was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑE) at Mississippi State University and was a member of Kiwanis International for 51 years, both in Jackson, Ms. and Helena, AL. He served in multiple leadership positions including Lt. Governor and Governor of La.-Miss.-W. Tenn Kiwanis District. He was very active in the Methodist Church and held leadership positions at Christ United Methodist Church (Jackson, Ms.) and Helena United Methodist Church (Helena, AL). Gene was a lifelong Mississippi State Bulldog fan even after moving to Alabama and being surrounded by Alabama and Auburn fans.

Gene is survived by his wife of 61 years, Camille Reed Maier, and three daughters, Miriam Maier Bearden (Mike); Maria Maier Sulser (Craig); and Missy Maier Russell. He leaves behind two granddaughters, Michelle Bearden and Madison Bearden, and his three grandsons, Tanner Sulser (Bella), Tristan Sulser, and Jacob Russell. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Judy Williams, niece, Leigh Anne Bertelsen (Craig), Anne Sill (John), Susan Hooten (Jay), Beth Kyle (Marc), Claudia Singletary (Paul) and nephews, Craft Maier (Jennifer), Charles Stewart (Wendy) and Dr. Bob Stewart (Wynde) as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Beeks Maier, Sr. and Inez Johnson Maier, his two brothers, Dr. Frank Beeks Maier, Jr. and Wiley (Bill) Johnson Maier, his sister Inez Maier Stewart, nephew, Frank Beeks Maier, III, brother-in-law, William “Bill” Stewart and sister-in-law, Jean Maier.

The family would like to thank Comfort Care Home Health, Expectcare Hospice and Shirley Dumas his home caregiver for the excellent care he received.

Visitation will be held at Southern Heritage Funeral Home, Pelham, AL on Wednesday, March 8th at 1:00 PM with a funeral service beginning at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow at Southern Heritage Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his sons-in-law, Mike Bearden and Craig Sulser, grandsons, Tanner Sulser, Tristan Sulser and Jacob Russell, nephew, Craft Maier, and Craig Bertelsen.

Memorials may be made to Helena United Methodist Church, Christ United Methodist Church (Jackson, MS) and Aberdeen Methodist Church (Aberdeen, MS).