Dr. Howard "Gene" Balding Obituary (1941 - 2026)

On May 28, 2026, Dr. Gene Balding ended his earthly service to his Savior and began his eternal service in Heaven. He leaves behind the other love of his life, his wife Jeanie. They were happily married for 62 years. Dr. Balding faithfully served the Lord as pastor of Russellville First Baptist Church from 1993 until 2007, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Nineteenth Avenue Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Lakeview Baptist Church in Cave Spring, Arkansas, along with brief tenures at churches in Texas while completing his degrees at Dallas Theological Seminary. He also leaves behind his sons, Gene (Monica) and David (Dana); grandchildren, Rachel, Austin, Daniel, and Kaitlyn. He loved traveling the world with his wife, especially visiting Israel. He also enjoyed reading books, serving the Lord as an interim pastor following his retirement from full-time service, and going on mission trips to Costa Rica, Moldova, Ukraine, and Transnistria. A visitation will be held Sunday, May 31, 2026, from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM at Russellville First Baptist Church, where funeral services will follow beginning at 3:00 PM. Burial will follow at Colbert Memorial Gardens in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Brother Chase Dowdy will officiate the services. Memories and condolences may be shared at akinsfh.com.