Geneva Lois Smith

On Monday, February 1, 2016 Geneva Lois Smith at the age of 66 lost her battle with Breast Metastatic Bone Cancer at home with her family by her side. Her funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, February 5, 2016 at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel with Pastor Lyle Hinebauch officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering. Visitation will be from 9AM until service time on Friday at Dugan-Kramer. Memorial contributions may be sent in care of the family to PO Box 343 Scottsbluff, NE 69363 for the continuing educational needs of her grandchildren. Geneva's favorite color was blue. The family is asking that everyone please wear something blue in her honor. Her obituary may be viewed and condolences left at www.dugankramer.com

Geneva was born in Colby, KS on July 21, 1949 to Arthur E. and Reva L. (Highland) Smith. She was the oldest of 5 children. She attended several schools all over Kansas due to her father working for the gas company. They moved from Colby, KS in 1962 when Geneva was 13 to Memphis, TN for 1 year then moved to Scottsbluff, NE in 1963. Geneva finished her schooling in Scottsbluff graduating from Scottsbluff High School in 1967. She attended Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff for one year.

Geneva met Larry Lee Gentry in 1967 and they married in 1968. They traveled and lived in Massachusetts and Maryland while Larry served in the Army. They eventually made their home in Gering, NE. To this union 2 children were born, Anthony (Tony) and Andrea. The couple later divorced but still remained very close and raised their 2 children together.

In 1988 Geneva married Wesley L. Denham later divorcing.

Geneva did some clerical work, drove truck and enjoyed seeing the country. She drove team with her husband Wesley and her son, Tony at different times in her career. She was also very independent and drove truck all over the country by herself. She was very proud that she has been in all 48 states. Geneva retired in 2012.

Geneva had beat Breast Cancer in 1989 and had been doing very well until 2012 when she was diagnosed with Breast Metastatic Bone Cancer. But she did not let that hold her down. Geneva was an amazing lady and handled her cancer with grace. She fought until the very end. She did not want to leave her family.

Geneva has 4 grandchildren, Shelby, Crashell, MJay, and Tallon. She was very devoted to them, attending all their school activities and sports events. Even after becoming ill with cancer, she remained very involved in their activities. She even traveled to Colorado almost every weekend in the summer to watch her grandson, MJay, play baseball. Her hobbies included bowling, sewing, gardening, spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also collected anything that had a butterfly on it.

Geneva is survived by her son Anthony (Tony) Gentry; granddaughter Shelby Gentry; daughter, Andrea Avis and her husband Allen; granddaughter Crashell Foster; grandsons MJay Avis and Tallon Avis; father, Arthur E. Smith; Brothers Art (Sonny) A. (Mary) Smith, Monte W. (Cathie) Smith, Randall L. (Dian) Smith, and Ralph E. (Tamara) Smith; 4 nephews, 4 nieces, and 4 great nieces; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and very special long time friends.

Geneva is preceded in death by her mother Reva L. Smith, grandparents, and various aunts and uncles.

All are welcome to join the family to honor Geneva’s life and to celebrate her birthday with a butterfly release on July 21, 2016. Detailed information will be published closer to that date.