Geneva Tyine Graefe, 97, of Midwest City went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 10, 2021. She was born September 18, 1923 to Franklin Bogard Maddox and Margaret Ruth Canterberry in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma. Her father came to Indian Territory with his family in 1900 from Dellrose, Tennessee and her mother came with her family in 1899 from Charlie, Texas. She was the last living child of 12 children in the Maddox Family. Geneva was the 8th child born of 8 boys: David, Hoyt, Raymond, Hubert, Foster, Junior, Sherrald, and Donald; and 4 girls: Stella Berna, Leota Krick, and Gale Jones. The Maddox Family farmed 40 acres near Fort Cobb. Geneva lived at home until she was 18 years old when she graduated from Washita High School. She moved to Wichita, Kansas for her first job with the National Youth Administration, a defense industry plant during World War II. She married Vernon Orville Graefe in 1949 in Oklahoma City, who preceded her in death on November 15, 1980.
Geneva was initiated into the Westwood Chapter No. 422 of the Eastern Star on December 11, 1951 where she was a perpetual member and served as a Worthy Matron in 1960. She was baptized at the Deep Creek Baptist Church in Ft. Cobb in 1937. Geneva joined the First Baptist Church of Del City in 1964, where she was a faithful member, Sunday School Officer, and sang in the choir. She rode the church bus for 50 years, ministering to numerous young children who now are leaders in the church. Geneva loved her church family that included Pastor Buddy Townsend and wife Ellen who picked her up for Wednesday and Sunday evening services. Geneva had the love of the Lord, with her faith and family being very important to her.
Geneva and Vernon owned and operated K & V Auto Supply in Midwest City, Oklahoma for 27 years. She worked for Stockton’s which later became Beachler’s IGA for 24 years; 22 of the years she was the office manager, keeping the stores books. She retired from Beachler’s in 1990.
She is survived by all 3 of her children: son, Roy Graefe (wife Terry), daughter Shirley Speaks (husband J.W.), and Frank Graefe (wife Marie). She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 9 great great grandchildren. She was preceded by death by 2 grand children and 1 great grandchild.
Geneva will be laid to rest at Arlington Memorial Garden Cemetery on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 2pm, where her nephew Darrell Berna will officiate. Visitation will be at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home Northeast on Friday from 4pm to 8pm.
