Gene W. Prince, age 79, of 698 Burgertown Road, Copperhill, TN, passed away Friday, May 27, 2011 in the Copper Basin Hospital after a brief illness. He was born in Polk County, the son of the late Paul E. and Lucy Harris Prince and husband of the late Daisy Elrod Prince.Gene was a loving husband, father, and grandfather that had an active career as a Bluegrass Vocalist and Musician playing on the Louisiana Hayride and with various Bluegrass artists. He was a Rural Challenge Musician and Teacher in the Copper Basin area for over six years, passing on rural, mountain music to several hundred students.He is survived by his wife Irene Hancock Prince of the home; two sons, Champ (Maxine) Prince and Tyke (Cindy) Prince, all of Copperhill, TN; three daughters, Gina (Mike) Coleman of Wehutty Road, Cherokee County, NC, Joann (Richard) White of Ada Street, Blue Ridge, GA and Libby (Frank) Newman of Eaton Road, Blue Ridge, GA; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; many other relatives and friends.Funeral services were conducted Sunday, May 29th at 2:00 p.m. from the New Ground Baptist Church with Rev. Mitchell Taylor and Rev. Tyke Prince officiating. Music was by family and friends, Gloria Herr, Gina and Mike Coleman, Champ Prince, Amy Allen, Johnathan White and Kenneth Holder and friends. The following served as pallbearers, Tom Herr, Brandon Plush, Derek Allen, Johnathan White, Cody Towe and Chad Nicholson. Interment followed in the Mount Harmony, McAllister Hill, Copperhill, TN cemetery. Condolences to the family may be sent to www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill was in charge of the arrangements. .