ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 74
BY REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON
A RESOLUTION
To commend Gene Stewart for his accomplishments.
WHEREAS, Gene Stewart was born in Carthage, Mississippi, on July 21, 1938, and
has been a resident of Rayville, Louisiana, for over eighty years; his family moved to
Louisiana in the 1940s and worked as tenant farmers in Richland Parish; as a schoolboy, he
farmed cotton and corn while learning guitar and singing and writing with his mother and
cousins; and
WHEREAS, Gene attended Holly Ridge High School and started a five-piece
country/rockabilly band named "Gene Stewart and the Rockin' Rebels"; the band became a
mainstay at the Twin City Jamboree in West Monroe, Louisiana, and the Grand Old Auction
Barn in Delhi, Louisiana; he also met James Burton, Elvis Presley's lead guitarist and band
leader, while in Delhi; and
WHEREAS, after graduating, Gene enlisted in the United States Army; while he
cherishes the country life and possesses a genuine respect for farmers, he wanted an
alternative to a life of farming; and
WHEREAS, while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, Gene continued to nurture his love
of music by performing with local bands; on one occasion in 1957, he had the opportunity
to perform a rock & roll gig with Clyde "Barefoot" Chesser; when the U.S. Army sent him
to Ulm, Germany, he played with German bands at the noncommissioned officers club; and
WHEREAS, upon completion of his military service, Gene returned home and re-
formed the Rockin' Rebels, and the band began playing at the Twin City Jamboree at the
Fairgrounds Exhibit Building in West Monroe; in 1959, he and the band opened for Jerry
Lee Lewis; and
WHEREAS, Gene began playing regularly at Delta Village, a tourist attraction west
of Tallulah, Louisiana, in the early 1970s; he also made regular appearances on various
country shows and at Elks and Moose Lodges in different cities; and
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WHEREAS, Gene made his first recording, "Rub It In", at Camaro Records in
Memphis, Tennessee; the song became a regional hit before Billy Crash Craddock's version
became nationally famous; he also recorded a variety of other songs including "It's Not
Much But It's Home", which is a song about his hometown of Rayville and was recorded by
Enchanted Records; in 1975, he wrote and recorded "Face of an Angel", which became the
most requested song at KRIH radio station in that year; and
WHEREAS, Gene began working at the United States Post Office in Rayville in
1961; he went on to serve there for forty-two years as a clerk/carrier, superintendent of
postal operations, and for his final sixteen years of service, as postmaster; he was a member
of the National League of Postmasters and National Association of Postmasters of the United
States; he was especially active in the National League of Postmasters, serving as state
membership chair and as a national membership committee member; and
WHEREAS, Gene also started a part-time career in real estate and after retiring from
the post office became a full-time broker and investor with his wife, D'Juana; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Stewart has served his community in a variety of ways; he was a
member of the Kiwanis Club, serving as president from 1989 to 1990, and the Junior
Chamber of Commerce; he was also active in the Loyal Order of the Moose and Woodmen
of the World; he is currently a member of the Richland Parish Chamber of Commerce,
serves as a notary public, mentors young musicians, and is a faithful member of First Baptist
Church in Rayville; and
WHEREAS, Gene Stewart is most deserving of recognition for his many
accomplishments and his dedication to Rayville and Richland Parish.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Gene Stewart for his accomplishments and
does hereby extend sincerest wishes that he continue to prosper in all of his endeavors for
many years to come.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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