Eugene "Gene" Carrington Wall

NORWOOD - Eugene Carrington Wall, of Norwood, NC, formerly of Wadesboro, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025. He was born in Wadesboro on February 23, 1963, to the late Thomas Diggs Wall, Jr. and Marie Harkey Wall.

Gene’s father was ill for many years during Gene’s childhood and passed away early in Gene’s life. Gene had heard his father call Tom Sr. “Daddy,” and when Gene heard it, he ask how he could have ‘two daddies.’ From that point on, Tom Sr. became “Two-Daddy” to Gene. Two-Daddy was dear to Gene’s heart and served as a father figure after Gene’s father’s passing. Summers were spent on Lake Tillery, swimming, boating and skiing.

Gene was a member of the Southview Academy Class of 1981, where he played basketball and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed.” He later attended Appalachian State University, graduating in 1985 with a degree in Business Management.

Gene loved his work. In the early 1980s, he worked at the Wadesboro Woodmen of the World pool alongside his friend, Mack Odom. He later worked for CMC Building Supply, managing stores in Mount Gilead and Norwood, and also managed carwash operations in Wadesboro and Cheraw.

In 1992, Gene married the love of his life, Becky Tarlton Wall. They had known one another since childhood, first meeting as children in classroom A2 at Anson High School where their mothers were friends and taught side by side. Gene and Becky quite literally grew up together, often seeing one another on teacher workdays. They first dated when Gene was 14, relying on their mothers to take them to the movies, ballgames, or anywhere else they wanted to go. Though they eventually went their separate ways, they later reconnected and rekindled their relationship.

After marrying, Gene and Becky lived in Polkton, NC, and later moved to their home in Norwood, where they began attending First United Methodist Church of Norwood.

Gene was a devoted family man. He had a stepson, Becky’s son Brett Barry, and together Gene and Becky had two children, Thomas Eugene (Hannah) and Anne Marie. The family spent many summers on Lake Tillery, swimming, tubing, boating, and attempting to ski. Gene especially loved slinging the kids around on the tube. Each summer, he welcomed extended family to the lake, taking everyone out on the houseboat to watch Fourth of July fireworks. Gene, Becky, and the children also enjoyed annual trips to the beach and the mountains.

In 1996, Gene began working for the Rockingham ABC Store. When a second store opened in 2007, he managed it, a role he held until his retirement in 2022. He especially enjoyed talking with customers and getting to know their stories.

Motorcycles were a lifelong passion for Gene, beginning with minibikes at age seven and continuing throughout his life. He met one of his closest friends, David Brewer, in Sunday School when they discovered their shared love for motorcycles. From that moment on, they were inseparable riding partners. Gene and David often rode alongside friends Steve Poindexter and Harold Thompson, taking trips across the country to destinations such as Myrtle Beach, St. Augustine, California, Montana, Colorado, Nova Scotia, and Key West.

Later in life, Gene and Becky enjoyed traveling on cruises with his in-laws, Haskell and Annette Tarlton, and Anita Tarlton and David Waters. Their travels took them from Alaska, Cozumel and Nova Scotia, and they deeply enjoyed seeing the world together.

Gene was a man of tradition and will be fondly remembered for his signature Palm Land polo shirts and Members Only jackets. They just don’t make ’em like they used to.

Gene is survived by his wife and children. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter.

 A service to celebrate his life will be held on Sunday, January 4th at 3:00PM Leavitt Funeral Home in Wadesboro, with a visitation one-hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be held at Forestville United Methodist Church in Lilesville, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Tillery Compassionate Care (960 North First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001) or First United Methodist Church of Norwood (PO Box 948, Norwood, NC 28128).

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com