Geneva Thomas

She was born on February 11, 1936, in Poplar Grove, Arkansas, to parents, the late Isaac Thomas and Winnie Ernestine Thomas. Geneva, as she was affectionately known, accepted Christ as her savior at a very early age and continued to live a Christian life all her life.

Geneva had two sons, Larry "Tiny" Thomas and Eric Wilbon. She lived in Arkansas until she, along with her youngest son, Eric, moved to Gary, Indiana, in 1963. Her oldest son, Larry, remained in Arkansas to be raised by his maternal grandfather, Isaac Thomas. Geneva followed her mother, Winnie, to Gary. Winnie had moved from Arkansas to Indiana in 1955. The mother-daughter-dual lived together until Winnie transitioned from this life in 2004.

She worked at several business establishments in Gary, often as a store manager or cashier. Geneva had a beautiful, easy, and infectious smile and the gift of laughter that lifted your spirit. Her loving personality, beautiful smile, and easy laugh fit perfectly with her choice of profession interfacing with the public.

In Gary, IN, Geneva joined Mount Olive Baptist Church and later Crossroad Missionary Baptist Church. She was active in various ministries, including the Usher Board, Sunday School, and Choir, and served as Church Representative. She was a woman of unwavering faith. Geneva would take bible classes by mail and receive certificates to mark her accomplishments. She taught Sunday school and engaged her son Eric in church activities which began early with Easter Sunday speeches.

Geneva cherished being in the Lord's house. She truly loved hearing good preaching and certainly had her favorite ministers. But she devoured the Good Word delivered by any vessel. For years, Geneva traveled to several cities, from Chicago to Florida, attending church revivals and conferences. Often, she would fondly reminisce about the Simultaneous Church Revivals she'd enjoyed, in Gary, IN.

If you saw Geneva on any given weekday, she'd be dressed very casually and without much thought. However, on Sunday mornings, she was transformed. Geneva would be put together from head to toe. She was flawless, from her hat, jewelry, dress, gloves, and stockings (a must) to her matching shoes and handbag. Oh yes, and her hair was laid.

In 2010, Geneva moved to Atlanta, GA, to live with Eric and his family as her health started diminishing. She was diagnosed with early Dementia in 2011. Geneva would spend her days at Fulton County, Georgia's Senior Adult Day Centers, for years. Despite the diagnosis, these outstanding senior centers facilitated Geneva's continued active and engaged life.

When Geneva could no longer attend the senior programs or live with Eric and his family, she received loving care in exceptional personal care, assisted living, and nursing care homes. There she established patient and heartfelt relationships with extraordinary caregivers and healthcare providers.

An amazing thing about Geneva we want everyone to know is that as she approached the twilight of her life, when she could no longer speak, she would still hum and sing songs of praise to the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Geneva was preceded in death by her parents, Isaac Thomas and Winnie Ernestine Thomas, and her sister, Georgia Sain. She is survived by a sister, Rachel (David) Fulton, and a brother, Cornelius Thomas, both of Flint, Michigan; two sons, Larry "Tiny" Thomas, Sr. of Poplar Grove, AR, and Eric (Vicki) Wilbon of Atlanta; five grandchildren, Larry's children (Bridget Thomas of Marvell, AR, and Larry (LaBrenda) Thomas, Jr. of Cordova, TN) and Eric's children (Dion Wilbon of Stone Mountain, GA, Courtney Wilbon of Atlanta, GA and Sydney Wilbon of Houston, TX); thirteen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and a host of other relatives and many friends including Mrs. Mary Barner, Mrs. Virgil Paige, Ms. Nancy Kimble, and Mrs. Justine Hammond all from Gary, IN.