Geneva Teagarden

Geneva Wallach Teagarden passed away peacefully at the age of 82, with her family by her side. She lived a full life of hardship and beauty, with the enduring love of her family and her passion for music guiding her resiliently through it all. She was funny, smart and creative; a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

A Celebration of Geneva’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at University Christian Church in Fort Worth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the University Christian Church cornerstone campaign (https://universitychristian.org/cornerstone) and to the Warm Place (https://thewarmplace.org).

Growing up in Galveston gave Geneva a lifelong connection to the ocean that she felt deeply within her soul. Her love of water and of ‘wriggling her toes in the sand’ was a calming influence on her…. Second only to her love of chocolate.

Music and art were the lens through which Geneva saw life. Whether you found her sitting with her eyes closed listening to the 4 Tenors sing or engaging in (sometimes messy) art projects with her grandchildren, that was how she defined joy. As an accomplished cellist, she played in symphonies, ballets, operas, church performances and weddings. She also taught others and played at home as her greatest emotional outlet.

Her chosen religion was a very personal journey for Geneva. At the age of 4, she walked into a church that was a few blocks away from her home because of the music she heard and began to attend every Sunday. The minister would step outside to see that she got home because her family did not attend the church. Geneva’s devotion to Disciples of Christ continued until it brought her to Texas Christian University, where she met the love of her life, Charles. They married in 1963 and welcomed 3 children, Pam, Debbie and Mike. Together, their family were lifelong, active members of University Christian Church.

Geneva was a devoted mother who never stopped reminding her children how much she loved them. She was always generous with her love and her praise. And as a grandmother, the love she expressed was only expanded. Her love for her grandchildren was her greatest love in her last years. She loved nothing more than to spoil them with love, attention, and of course, chocolate! She spent countless hours playing games, reading stories, and making art masterpieces.

Geneva always fought for the underdog and was never shy about sharing her opinions. She would never hesitate to call a teacher, a coach, a minister or even a mayor if she thought she needed to stand up for someone or something. Her family wasn’t immune, either. You knew you were in trouble if she wrote you one of her letters! She was also the greatest defender of our democracy (even if only from her couch). She advocated for everyone’s children, not just her own…. And well beyond what issues someone her age needed from the world.

Geneva faced many challenges in life, but she never let them defeat her. Whether this came in her epilepsy diagnosis as a child or her blindness as an adult. She was often underestimated, but it never stopped her and she continued to love life to the fullest, adapting to her new circumstances and finding joy in the small things.

Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa in her 40’s, Geneva was robbed of her sight. Rather than feel sorry for herself, she took control and enrolled in a school for the blind where she learned Braille and the art of transcription. She started her own business in her 50’s, transcribing important written documents and children’s textbooks into Braille and providing services so others with visual impairments could lead robust lives. Her ability to help the world became newsworthy when she developed a process for blind people to vote without a loss of privacy, though she was most proud of her weekly tithing to transcribe the Sunday programs, so everyone could fully participate in the services at UCC.

Geneva will be deeply missed by those who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of resilience, passion, intelligence, strength, and unwavering love for her family.

She was preceded in death by her father, her mother, her beloved brother Merrill, and her dear husband of 46 years, Charles. She is survived by her daughters, Pamela Teagarden, Deborah Caballero and husband, Luis; and son, Michael Teagarden and wife, Jill. Her niece, Sheryl Wallach Mirken, and nephews, Mark, Stephen and Allen Wallach whom she loved as her own children. Grandchildren and grandnieces, Caroline, Paige, Sofia, Ava, Max and Sam.

Rest in peace, dear Geneva…. Knowing that you were deeply loved and cherished by all who knew you. We promise to always keep the chocolate stash filled ♥️