Earl Eugene Tagert, Jr.

Gene, as he was affectionately known, was born on December 17, 1942, to Earl and Nellie Tagert in Mobile, Alabama. After he graduated from Citronelle High School in 1961, he went on to study music education at William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Upon graduation in 1965, Gene worked as a band director for 9 years; however, he knew that his calling was to full-time ministry. He was ordained to the ministry on January 20, 1974, at Roseland Park Baptist Church in Picayune, Mississippi. He attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and graduated with a Master of Divinity in Church Music in 1975. Gene served in active church ministry for over 60 years, beginning his service as Minister of Music at Bethel Baptist Church, while still in high school. He last served as the minister of music at Citronelle Memorial Baptist church. Gene was a member of the Alabama Singing Men. He also served in the Mobile Baptist Association as VBS Director, and Chairman of the Senior Adult Leadership and Activity Committee. He served as a Chaplain at Mobile Infirmary.

In 1966, Gene met his beloved wife, Connie, in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. They were married in 1967 in Freeport, Florida. Gene and Connie went on to have 2 children, Stacey and Trey, and 3 grandchildren, Jacob, Noah and Elijah. 

Gene enjoyed fishing, hunting, spending time with family and friends, singing gospel music, telling tall-tales, and watching Alabama football. He was an active gardener, a handyman, a woodworker, and a small-engine mechanic. He enjoyed piano restoration and tuning. He was always working on at least one project, either of his own inspiration, or in order to help his friends and family. His musical contributions will continue on, as he was fond of giving music lessons to his many students, including family and friends.

In 2010, Gene retired from full-time ministry; however, he continued working as a part-time music minister and visiting nursing homes each week. One of his favorite avocations was driving a charter bus for Colonial Trailway.

Gene is preceded in death by his father, Earl Tagert, Sr., and his mother, Nellie Tagert. He is survived by his wife, Connie Tagert, sister, Charlotte Matthews, brother, Larry Tagert, his children and grandchildren, and their families, as well as his aunt, Genevieve Denton, his cousins and many caring friends.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday, April 3rd, 2023, at Citronelle Memorial Baptist Church, 19655 Mobile Street, Citronelle, Alabama.

His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023, at Gene’s home church, Bethel Baptist Church, 16641 Prine Road, Citronelle, Alabama. Gene’s friend and pastor, Rev. Dino Danzey, will officiate. The burial will follow in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given to your local church’s music ministry, or to International Ministries, 616 Azalea Road, Mobile, AL 36609. Gifts to International Ministries will provide foreign-language bibles to seafarers who visit the Port of Mobile. This is a cause Gene supported, and we pray that many lives will be transformed by God’s Word as a result of this mission.