Genell Permenter

Genell Godley Permenter, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, joined her husband O.E. in heaven March 26, 2024. She was 95. A caring friend and faithful servant of Christ, Genell was born in Anderson County, Texas, to A.G. Godley and Leta Wilbanks on April 28, 1928. She and O.E. met as students at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he played football, and she was a Homecoming queen. They married on June 23, 1949, in Cayuga, Texas, and spent 62 years together before O.E.’s passing in 2011. Genell earned two degrees from SFA, a bachelor’s in 1948 and a master’s in 1984. She positively impacted the lives of thousands of students as an elementary school teacher for more than 30 years in Texas and Maryland, retiring from Corsicana ISD in 1990. She and O.E. were devoted to spreading the gospel of Christ to those in need, participating in mission trips to the Rio Grande Valley, Mexico, Belize and Haiti. She touched the hearts and comforted the souls of hundreds of people who were grieving or ill through a greeting card ministry that she maintained until her death. A longtime resident of Corsicana, Genell led a spiritually, mentally, physically and socially vibrant life. Her circle of friends was vast, and she made each one feel special. She kept her mind sharp through daily Bible study, reading, crossword puzzles and word games and her body fit by exercising regularly. Known as Meema to her four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, she delighted in their achievements and loved watching them play sports and participate in other activities. She was a self-taught pianist, wonderful cook and prolific baker whose homemade bread made the best toast and grilled cheese sandwiches. And no family meal was complete without her famous apricot nectar orange jello. Genell was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sisters Zoella Pettiette, Anna Lee Morrow, Trudie Hutchinson and Nanette Haynor, and brothers A.G. Godley Jr. and Bernard Godley. She is survived by her children Cinda Melton (Marcus) and Mark Permenter (Selma) and grandchildren Julie Barfield (Drew), Shellie Razloznik (Ryan), Zack Melton (Brittany) and Sara Permenter. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Samantha Melton, Roxanne Melton, Henry Melton, Caroline Barfield, Peyton Barfield, Aiden Razloznik and Harper Razloznik. Additionally, she is survived by two sisters, Martha Lilly of Conroe, Texas, and Oleta Brumley (Richard) of Anahuac, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2024, at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, at First Baptist Church in Corsicana with the Rev. Danny Reeves officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to First Baptist Church of Corsicana or the ministry of your choice. An online guest book is available at www.griffin-roughton.com by selecting the obituary for Genell Permenter. Funeral arrangements under the direction of Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home, Corsicana.

Genell Permenter

April 28, 1928 - March 26, 2024