Eugene H. Hurst Jr.

Eugene Hamilton Hurst, Jr. was a man of great honor and character who lived his life with true heart and love. Born in Richlands, Virginia, on June 17, 1942, to the late Eugene H. Hurst, Sr. and Billie Sue McConnell Hurst, he passed away on March 6, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family, after courageously battling cancer with strength and dignity.

A graduate of Richlands High School, Class of 1959, and Emory and Henry University, Class of 1963, Gene followed in his father’s footsteps by graduating from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and becoming a funeral director. He dedicated his life to serving others as the owner and operator of the Hurst-Scott Funeral Homes in Richlands and Tazewell. More than a businessman, he was a source of profound compassion for families in their most difficult moments, guiding them through grief with a gentle spirit and genuine heart. His kindness and professional integrity left a lasting mark on the community he served.

A lifelong member of Richlands First Methodist Church, Gene was active in the St. Thomas Sunday School Class, Adult Choir, Men’s Breakfast, and various leadership roles. His faith, family, church, and business were the center of his life. He was the longest active member of both the Tazewell County Country Club and the Richlands Lions Club, and he belonged to numerous organizations, including the National Guard Unit in Richlands, the American Legion, Roanoke Scottish Rites, Gundy Oddfellows Lodge #17 I.O.O.F., Kazim Shriners, Southwest Funeral Directors Association, Richlands Area Chamber of Commerce, CART, International Order of the Golden Rule, and the Richlands Masonic Lodge #318 AF & AM, where he was a member for over 53 years. He and his wife, Martha, were prominent supporters of the Historic Crab Orchard Museum and the Southwest Virginia Community College Educational Foundation.

Gene is survived by his true love and soul mate of over 60 years, Martha Firebaugh Hurst; his daughter, Jill Hurst Stump, and her husband, Jimmy, of Centreville, Virginia; his sons, Gregory H. Hurst and his wife, Diane, of Radford, Virginia, and Jeffrey N. Hurst and his wife, Charity, of Richlands, Virginia; his sister, Susie Garrett and her husband, Jeff, of Cornelius, North Carolina; and his beloved grandchildren—1st Lt. Grayson Hamilton Hurst, Bailey Nicole Hurst and her fiancé, Killian Cardinale, Sadie McConnell Hurst and her fiancé, 1st Lt. Joseph Michael Kennedy, Addison Jill Hurst, Nathaniel Patton Hurst, Lillee Manning Hurst, Raelyn Martha Stump, Cooper Nelson Hurst, and Ivy Jaymes Stump—whom he cherished as “Granddad.” He is also survived by his bonus family, Brandon and Breanne McDaniel and their children, Kolten, Peyton, and Ryder, and Eric and Lakin McDaniel and their children, Ellee and Rhyatt.