Geneva Ashley

Geneva Ashley, 88, was born March 13, 1938, in Dallas, Texas, and passed away April 29, 2026. Raised in Dallas, Geneva carried that Texas-rooted steadiness with her throughout life—grounded, warm, and quietly sure of what mattered most.

Geneva married Billy Joe Ashley, and together they built a family that became the center of her days and the source of her greatest pride. They welcomed three children, and through the years Geneva’s love showed up in the ways that last: in her attention, her care, and the simple, faithful presence that made people feel at home.

Her hands were rarely still. Geneva loved crafting, especially making Christmas and birthday cards for family and friends—small works of art that arrived with perfect timing and just the right touch, as if she had a calendar in her head and a sparkle of mischief in her pocket. She also enjoyed learning about family history and genealogy, patiently tracing the threads that connected generations and keeping those stories close. When she wasn’t creating or researching, she could often be found sitting in the sun, watering her flowers, and enjoying the kind of peace that doesn’t ask for much. And if there was a good steak dinner involved, all the better—Geneva knew how to appreciate life’s best comforts without making a fuss about it.

Geneva was preceded in death by her father, Walter Cotten; her mother, Dora Cotten; her husband, Billy Joe Ashley; her son, Marty Ashley; her sisters, Lois, Helen Odle, Joyce Carlton; and bother, Cecil Cotten.

She is survived by her brother, Kenneth Ashley (Betty) of Mt Pleasant, Texas; her sons, Terry Ashley (Judy) of Searcy, Arkansas, and Bryan Ashley (Michelle) of Wills Point, Texas; her grandchildren, Tim Ashley (Carrie) of Mabank, Texas, Dustin Ashley (Faith) of Canton, Texas, and Britney Ashley of Mabank, Texas; sister-in-law Janet Lee; and 8 great grandchildren. Geneva is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Rhoton Funeral Home, 1511 South Interstate 35e, Carrollton, TX 75006, on May 5, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

A graveside service will follow at Hilltop Memorial Park, 1810 N Perry Rd, Carrollton, TX 75006, on May 5, 2026, beginning at 2:00 pm.