GENEVA PAULINE (MEFFORD) OWEN

Geneva Pauline (Mefford) Owen, 90, went to her Heavenly home on May 31, 2014 after a short battle with cancer.

She was born November 9, 1923, to Tom and Delphia (Terry) Mefford in Marion County, Arkansas, the older sister to Alvin, Jearline and John Bacil (deceased as a baby). Geneva attended Arkansas public schools at Price Place and Oakland. She was a wonderful help to her parents by taking care of her brother Alvin, cooking, and helping maintain the family home. On October 6, 1940, at the age of 16, Geneva married James Wesley Owen at Pontiac, Missouri. From this union came three wonderful children: Shirley, Earnie, and Denny. In May of 1941, James and Geneva moved to Sloat, California, so that James could find work in a mill; they returned to the Pontiac area that fall.

Geneva and James accepted Christ at the same time, prior to their marriage. They attended Price Place Church and Frontier General Baptist Church; their faith and family were of the utmost importance. Geneva enjoyed being a homemaker, tending to her garden, taking care of the farm animals, and spending time with her family. She was a wonderful cook, and the family will always remember her chocolate gravy, homemade chocolate pies, and tasty cornbread dressing. Geneva also enjoyed sewing and piecing quilts. James and Geneva celebrated sixty-one years of marriage, before he went home with the Lord on September 28, 2002.

Geneva is survived by her daughter Shirley (Owen) Shockey (son-in-law, Joe) of Gainesville, MO, son Earnie (daughter-in-law, Ann) of West Plains, MO, and son Denny (daughter-in-law, Donna) of Wichita, KS. She was a proud grandmother to Tamara Schneider and husband Jeff of Edmond, OK, Kristin Bunch and husband Timothy of West Plains, MO, Den Owen of Wichita, KS, Daniel Owen of Wichita, KS, Rebecca Owen of Springfield, MO and Dustin Owen of Wichita, KS; and proud great-grandmother to Jordan, Ethan, and Nathan. Geneva is also survived by her sister, Jearline Winans of Webb City, MO; nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; cousins; and wonderful friends. She was predeceased by her loving husband, James; her parents; her two brothers; one brother-in-law; and one nephew. Geneva will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Funeral services for Geneva will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 6, 2014 in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home chapel, Gainesville, MO with Bro. Dale Roberts officiating. Burial will be in the Price Place Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday evening, June 5th from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The family asks that memorial contributions be given to Price Place Cemetery or to Gideon's. Arrangements are by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.