Geneva Penney

Geneva Penney, age 109, died on Sunday, October 29, 2023, in Corsicana, TX, after a long and joyful life. Geneva was born in Eureka, TX, on March 26, 1914. Mrs. Penney, or “Maw Maw” as she preferred to be called, was a prize-winning jelly maker (having won several blue ribbons at the State Fair of Texas), a world-class cook and baker, a master gardener/canner, and the proudest mother/grandmother/great grandmother/great-great grandmother on the planet. Maw Maw remembered everything and everyone she ever met, even in her final days, and we are so fortunate to have had her with us for 109 years. Geneva was preceded in death by her husband, J.A. Penney, Sr., her son, J.A. Penney, Jr., her daughter, Auralia Wren, three grandchildren, one great grandchild, and one great-great grandchild. She is survived by her daughters Bettie Evans and Barbara Christie (and her husband Elton), grandchildren Gary Penney (Donna), Stephen Wren (LaDonna), Sidney Schutze, Stephanie Gage (Ronnie), Laurie Robertstad (Dave), Julie Evans, Grady Christie (Karen), and her granddaughter-in-law, Cindy Penney, 13 great grandchildren, 24 great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of wonderful friends. The family would like to offer a special thanks to Maw Maw’s loving and compassionate caregivers Norma Ruiz, Maybeth Arredondo, Maria Aviles, Mary Guerra, Patricia Berry and Lena Farmer, whose attention and incredible care allowed her to be at home for an extended period of time and comfortable in her final days. We are forever grateful! Graveside services will be held on Friday, November 3, at 1:00 p.m. at Resthaven Cemetery, 5400 W. Highway 31, Corsicana, TX, with Maw Maw’s great grandson, Jason Wren, officiating. Honorary pallbearers are Dave Robertstad, Grant Robertstad, Joe Kennemore, Grady Christie, Stephen Wren and Gary Penney. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eureka United Methodist Church Lord’s Acre, ℅ Susan Wisdom, 1305 FM 2859, Corsicana, TX 75109. When asked recently by her great grandson, Grant, for the secret to her long life, Maw Maw responded, “I never smoked or drank, you need to eat lots of vegetables, take exercise, and drink lots of water.” She would also remind us all to never go to the mailbox without our hair done or our makeup on because “somebody might see you!

Geneva Penney

March 26, 1914 - October 29, 2023