Geneva Smith Richburg

COLUMBIA - Geneva Smith Richburg passed away on Saturday, October 27, 2018. She was a lifelong resident of Columbia and was the daughter of the late Willie Tesreau Smith, Sr. and the late Mary Moore Smith. She and her three brothers grew up in the historic Arsenal Hill neighborhood and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. She earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree, cum Laude, from Benedict College in elementary education and did further study at New York University, Benedict College and Columbia College.

As an educator, she made a difference in the lives she touched. She taught at Saxon Elementary School for one year and at Howard Elementary School for sixteen years. After receiving certification in library science, she was a teacher-librarian at Lyon Street Elementary School for four years and Media-Specialist for nine years. She was named Teacher of the Year at Lyon Street Elementary School for the 1977-78 school year. She was employed by Richland County School District One for a total of thirty years before retiring in 1983. She was a member of the Richland County Education Association, the South Carolina Education Association, the National Education Association, and the South Carolina Association of School Librarians.

Geneva Richburg was an active and supportive member of Ladson Presbyterian Church for most of her life. She became an ordained Deacon and served on the Trustee Board. She was honored as Ladson’s Mother of the Year and received the Honorary Life Membership award in 2002.

Her civic affiliations included membership and participation in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; The Links, Inc. (attaining Platinum status); and The Jones McDonald Neighborhood Association. She also was an associate member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and a member of three social Bridge clubs: Les Élites, the Tea Leaves, and the Brunch Bunch. Her community volunteer service included assisting with fund raisers for Diabetes research, Cancer research, Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy. Her hobbies included traveling, watching movies, playing Bridge, spending quality time with family and friends, and doing for others.

In addition to her parents, Geneva Richburg was preceded in death by two sons: Cedral Tesreau Richburg (Joyce) and Valary Jey Richburg (Vira), and three brothers: The Honorable Judge Willie Tesreau Smith, Jr.; George Smith, Sr.; and Clarence Smith, Sr. She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband of 71 years, Stonewall McKinney Richburg; son, Kaarman Valient Richburg (Julie) of Palm Harbor, FL.; daughter, Deidre Toi Richburg of Columbia, SC; eight devoted grand-children: Keagan Ryne Richburg, Cedral Sean Richburg (Elmira), Julian Tesreau Richburg (Avery), Kaitlin Richburg Ellis (Gregory), Kelan Michael Richburg (Talima), Peyton Valary Richburg, Ivan Garland Earle, II (Adrienne), and Andrew Thomas McKinney Earle; eleven great-grand-children; one great-great grandchild; and sisters-in-law, Anna Marie Clark Smith of Greenville, SC and Corrine Adams Smith of Stone Mountain, GA; as well as beloved nieces and nephews, and very dear friends.

A private graveside service will be held. The family requests privacy at this time and is not accepting visitors.

In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials may be made to the National Diabetes Association. Dunbar Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.