Rev. Gene Conover

Rev. Alva “Gene” Conover, 86, of Columbia, Kentucky, passed away Sunday, January 4 at his home.

He was born March 14, 1939 to Rufus and Lillie Conover, who preceded him in death.

He married Cathy Ann (Johnson) Conover on December 12, 1957, who preceded him in death on November 30, 2019.

He pastored the Columbia Church of God from November 3, 1976 and preached his last sermon on November 4, 2025. He will be well remembered for his love for his church and community. He wanted to make sure that everyone was ready for Heaven. Everyone he came in contact with, he wanted to make sure that he left them with a smile on their faces. He loved spreading joy and the good news.

Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Larry Gene and Gary Lynn; one daughter, Rebecca Ann; two brothers Joe and Clyde; one sister Rena Bell.

He is survived by two daughters, Teresa (David) Thompson, Georgetown; and Pamela (Stacy) Popplewell, Russell Springs; one son, Jon (Peggy) Conover, Columbia; six grandchildren, Josh, Darika (his primary care-giver), Jared, Koh, Kory, and Jordan; and other grandchildren that adopted him as their Pa; and several great-grandchildren, to whom he was known as “Preacher Pa”; two daughters-in-law, Janice Conover and Pat Conover; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Service will be held Wednesday, January 7 at 10:00 A.M. at Grissom-Martin Funeral Home  with family members conducting the service.

Interment in Freedom Cemetery

Visitation after 4:00 P.M. Tuesday

Casket Bearers will be grandsons, Josh Conover, Jared Conover, Koh Kraner, Kory Kraner, Jordan Simpson and great-grandson Bryson Kraner.

Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev. Gene Conover, please visit our floral store.