Dr. Everett Eugene Ensminger, 68, of Covington, died at his home Nov. 29 after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. The son of Clois Zirnstein Ensminger and the late Howard E. Ensminger, he was born in 1939 in Emporia, Kan.

Dr. Ensminger was a graduate of Kansas State Teachers College and received a Doctor of Education from the University of Kansas. He was a professor of special education for 25 years and a professor emeritus of the College of Special Education at Georgia State University. Following his retirement in 1993, he opened the Barn Owl Frame Shop in his home and raised beef cattle. He and his wife Anne enjoyed riding horses and made many friends while trail riding around the Southeast. Dr. Ensminger was active in the church and community he loved. At Social Circle United Methodist Church he was named Member of the Year in 1998 and sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, was lay leader of the Board of Trustees and served on the Administrative Council and the Pastor Parish Relations committee. He served on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Equine Rescue League and the Walton County Department of Family and Children Services. Dr. Ensminger loved country music, played guitar and shared his karaoke singing at camp outs and family gatherings.

He was preceded in death by infant daughter Jodi Lynn Ensminger.

Surviving are wife of 22 years Anne Frew Ensminger; daughters Perri (Dan) Walden and granddaughters Aubrey Jene Elliott, Jodi Lynn Walden of Covington, Karla (Mark) Matheson and grandson Chase Hunter Matheson; and granddaughter Georgia Rose Matheson of Oxford; son Allen Eugene Ensminger of Social Circle; sisters Erlene (Layton) Hobble of Emporia, Carole (Marvin) Paige, Southbury, Conn.

A service celebrating the life of Gene Ensminger will be held at 2 p.m. today, Dec. 3, at Social Circle United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Social Circle United Methodist Church, 261 South Cherokee Road, Social Circle, Ga. 30025, or the Georgia Equine Rescue League, P.O. Box 787, Locust Grove, Ga. 30248.