Clarence Eugene "Gene" Ryals

Clarence Eugene Ryals, 77, affectionately known as “Gene” or “Shyster,” passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at Wayne Memorial Hospital.

Gene was born on December 4, 1944 in Wayne County to the late, Frank and Willa Mae Horton Ryals.  He graduated from Wayne County High School in 1963 and served his country in the United States Army for several years before returning home where he worked as a roofer for a short time before taking a job at Interstate Paper where he worked until 1980 when he went into business for himself.  He operated Gene’s Welding and Fabrication until his retirement about ten years ago.  Gene was a member of Victory Tabernacle since 1970 and when he wasn’t working, he loved camping, hunting, especially dog hunting, and fishing.  Gene and his family practically lived in the woods on the weekends.  He hunted in the woods all over southeast Georgia and was a member of numerous hunting clubs, lastly being the Back Swamp Hunting Club in Ludowici where he had been the president for many years.  His love of hunting was second to his love of God and his family, especially his grandchildren.  In addition to his parents, his siblings, Edna “Red” Carr, Ruth Ryals, Donald Ryals, Earl Ryals, Mary Hill , Robert Ryals, Loraine Pugliano and Leroy Ryals.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-eight years, Jewel Ryals of Jesup;  two sons, Reuben Eugene Ryals of Tennessee and Michael D. Ryals and wife, Christine of Jesup; grandchildren, Crystal R. Rush and husband, Robbie of Ludowici, Hanna M. Rogers and husband, Johnny, Stephen P. Ryals and wife, Lawanda, Laura Mikayla Ryals, Michael Kimberly Ryals  and Michael David Ryals, II and wife, Morgan all of Jesup, Brittany Landon of Nashville, GA and Shanna Smith of Midway, GA and great grandchildren, Blake, Hope, Nathaniel, Tanner, Saxton, Janalei, Jayden, Brayden, Bayleigh, Michael, III, Aria and Madison.  Freddy and Kathy Carr and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends also survive including Jimbo Yarbrough, and his family, who was like a son for the past forty years, Ralph Nettles and his buddies from the hunting club including, Eddie and Jeanine, Donald, Julio, Ed, Richard and Louise and Michelle.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

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