Eugene Talmadge Fouts

Eugene T. Fouts of Cumming, GA, died January 27, 2025, at Northside Forsyth Hospital in Cumming, GA. He was a devout Christian, family man, draftsman, photographer, sentimentalist, and historian known for his integrity and good name. As one friend put it, he was a great example of the words in Proverbs 22:1: A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Gene, 91, is survived by his wife of 70 years, Carolyn Lawson Fouts; his son Gary (wife Priscilla) Fouts; his daughter Carol (husband Len) Pizza; six grandchildren: Mark (Whitney) Levin, Devlin (Catherine) Levin, Nicolas Levin, Austin (Beth) Fouts, Carley (Jonathan) Mehall, and Catherine Pizza; 12 great-grandchildren: Cole (Riley) Levin, Cooper Levin, Rylee Fouts, Kolden Fouts, Sam Levin, Raleigh Levin, Avery Fouts, Luca Levin, Drew Levin, Briggs Fouts, Roman Fouts, and Banner Fouts; one great-great-granddaughter Clover Grey Levin; one brother, Mark (Hazel) Fouts; and beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and coworkers.

Gene was proceeded in death by his parents; six of his seven brothers (Paul W. Fouts, Jr.; Louie E. Fouts, Sr.; William E. “Bozie” Fouts; Earl Fouts; and infant twins Loy and Foy); his sister Mary Fouts Nesbit; and son Stan Fouts.

Gene was born in 1933 in a house on Fouts Road in the Newtown community, located now within incorporated Roswell, GA. He was the eighth of nine children born to Paul W. Fouts, Sr., and Nellie Coleman Fouts.

Gene attended the Newtown School (now a community center on Old Alabama Road) and then the old Milton High School on Milton Avenue in Alpharetta where he graduated in 1951. His class was the first to attend 12 years of school. Previous classes graduated from the 11th grade. Gene played on Milton’s first football team after he and his brother Mark were recruited in the front yard of the family home on Fouts Road by the then football coach Gus Letchas, who later became the school principal. Gene served as secretary with the Milton chapter of Future Farmers of America.

Gene accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1951 in the altar of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, now located in Johns Creek. He joined the church and was baptized in a pond on Barnwell Road alongside his mother.

Gene trained as a draftsman through the former Southern Technical Institute in Marietta (now a part of Kennesaw State University). After a brief stint with Gulf Oil Co., Gene joined Standard Oil/Chevron Oil where he completed a 30-plus-year career drafting plans and managing permitting for fuel stations and gas/convenience centers all across the Southeast.

He married the former Carolyn Lawson Fouts in 1954 in a ceremony at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church presided over by Carolyn’s cousin, the Rev. Talmadge Brumbelow. Their wedding reception was held in the Newtown Community Clubhouse that stands today at the intersection of Haynes Bridge Road and Old Alabama Road. The family hosted Gene and Carolyn’s 60th and 70th wedding anniversary celebrations in the same venue.

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church ordained Gene a deacon in 1956 and he served on the deacon board until his death (68 years). In 1966, he was elected clerk of the church and continued that work until his death (58 years). During that period, Gene also marked 28 years of perfect attendance in Sunday School where he taught teens for many years.

As an adult, Gene was a member of Gideons International, the Ruritan Club, and the Alpharetta Historical Society where he served as president. Gene and Carolyn fully supported their three children as they became active in school organizations. The Foutses worked many Milton Band spaghetti suppers and Parent Teacher Association activities, and followed their children across the country as all three performed in the University of Georgia Redcoat Band. Gene cheered on the Bulldogs until the end; many believed the family’s blood ran red and black.

Visitation with the Fouts family and friends will be Friday, January 31, 2025, at Ingram Funeral Home (210 Ingram Ave, Cumming, GA 30040) from 5 to 8 pm; and Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 10 am to 11 am followed by a funeral service at 11 am. The Rev. Cody Thomas and the Rev. Tyler Goode will speak as will various family members. The family invites you to bring your remembrances and share. Interment will be at Green Lawn Cemetery in Roswell, GA. To honor Gene’s memory, the family invites those so led to contribute to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church (contact Treasurer Jess Swafford at ajswafford@comcast.net), purchase Bibles through Gideons International (www.gideons.org) and continue the spread of the Gospel throughout the world, or contribute to the Stanley Todd Fouts Scholarship fund to support students at the University of Georgia (www.uga.edu).