The visitation for Mr. Gene Backey of Tampa who passed away on Friday, December 26, 2014, will be held Friday, January 9, 2015, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Aikens Funeral Home. The family will receive friends during the wake from 6 to 7 p.m. Gene was born December 8, 1945 in Atlanta, Georgia and was a long time resident of Tampa. He enjoyed fishing and was a greatly skilled foreman as a brick mason. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys Chapper, brother, John Chapper, daughter, Regina Simmons, aunt, Ruby Range and niece, Treneice Chapper. He leaves to cherish his fond memories his wife, Beverly Manning Backey; children, Gene Simmons, Sabrina Nobles (Bobby), Philana L. Backey, Likeisha Gentry and Alezeem Salter; grandchildren, Terrieisha, Shakeena, Briana, Herman, Dantavious, Micheal, Gene, Jerrell, Daisha, Taisha, Shaniya, Josiah and Amira; a host of great grandchildren; father, Gene Simmons; brothers, Norman Chapper (Gwen) and Nelson Chapper (Patricia); sister, Willie Mae Chapper; nieces, Wanda, Shirika, Shancold, Marsha and Cindy (Chris); nephews, Ricky, Nelson, Jr. and Daryl; cousins, Willie Range (Gloria), Gladys Buckhanan, Horace Range, Shalandra Buckhanan, April Buckhanan, Cory Watson (Deanna) and Earnest Buckhanan (Sylvia); and a host of other relatives and friends. The family and friends are asked to meet at the chapel on Friday for the visitation.