Obituary for Gene Howard Cannon Finally getting to make the journey he had been eagerly anticipating, Gene Howard Cannon was welcomed through heaven’s Pearly Gates on May 18, 2018. Known as “Sweet and Precious,” his pat answer when asked how he was, he completed his 91-plus year journey as a well loved and respected resident of Life Care Center of Cleveland. His jovial and encouraging enthusiasm got him voted “Mr. Life Care” in 2016.
The third and final child of Roscoe and Mamie (Johnson) Cannon, he was born August 30, 1926, living all his life in Bradley County, except his time in the military and a couple of months in St. Louis. After attending Arnold Elementary School, he was a trumpet player and captain in the Bradley Central High School band before being drafted to serve in the United States Navy during World War II midway through his senior year. He was serving his country in the jungles of the Philippines when his classmates received their diplomas.
He was the oldest graduate present at the school’s 100th graduation in 2016. After returning to Cleveland at the end of WWII, he began a courtship that would last more than 70 years with the love of his life, Juanita Wright, who had moved to town from Missouri. Their wedding on Good Friday, April 4, 1947, was the first service of any kind held in the Wildwood Avenue Church of God of Prophecy.
He was preceded in death by his bride and parents, as well as son Daryl Cannon, granddaughter Vanessa Bell, sister Aileen Huff and brother R.C. Cannon. Remaining to celebrate his life and love are one daughter, Dr. Darline Bell, of Cleveland; three sons: Jerry, and his wife Joyce, of Cleveland, Ohio; David, and his wife Tina, of Manassas, Va. ; and Joe Cannon, of Cleveland.
He also has 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Given the spiritual gift of hospitality, Gene and Juanita also welcomed numerous other “children” and “grandchildren” into their family throughout their marriage. A printer by trade, he was employed locally at Preston’s and White Wing publishing companies before spending the bulk of his working years at Pathway Press, from which he retired in the late 1980s.
He was also very active in the community having served as president of the Oak Grove PTO, as well as many years as a volunteer with the Bradley County Civil Defense organization. Having been a member of the congregation that is now the Peerless Road Church for the past nine decades, he was very instrumental in construction of the present facilities at the end of Raider Drive. He also gave countless hours of service behind the scenes in support of various church ministries to reach souls with the Good News of the Gospel.
He and his father, Roscoe, served as sound engineers at the church’s old Tabernacle on Central Avenue, as well the one located on Keith Street, during assemblies and state conventions for many years. Working with his wife, and Women’s Ministry Director Elva Howard, in the international church’s Ladies Retreats, he traveled around the world doing his ministry of recording thousands of hours of gospel singing and preaching on audio tape, which was distributed to anyone who desired it. A Remembrance of Life Celebration will be held at the Peerless Road Church on Tuesday, May 29, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Adam Jones and Bishop Randy Howard officiating.
The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. that morning until the service time at 11 o’clock. The committal service will be held at 1:30pm that afternoon at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donation be made to Helping Hands Ministry, P.O. Box 2910, Cleveland, TN 37320-2910 or online at www.
globalcogop.org. Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee St. Chapel has charge of the arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Gene Howard Cannon please visit our Sympathy Store.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
