Geneva S. Smith

MADISON  
Geneva S. Smith, age 74, of Madison, passed away at home peacefully on Thursday, September 24, 2009.   Geneva (nee Ceasar) was born on June 16, 1935 in Lexington, MS to the late Walter and Addie B. Ceasar.  She was educated in the Holmes County, MS public school system and moved to Madison, WI in 1958.    Geneva accepted Christ at a young age and was an active, life-long member of Second Baptist Church.  She served as an Usher, President of the Mothers Board and worked on many committees for the church.  Geneva Ceasar married John Quince Adams Smith on December 7, 1960.  Their union brought about three children; Jerry, Valery and Clinton.  Geneva retired from Ameritech in 1992 where she worked as a Supervisor of Maintenance Contractors for many years.   Those who knew Geneva would describe her as a Matriarch; a woman of unusual strength, drive and determination.  She instilled a legacy of faith, family and character.  Geneva was an avid bowler and her passion for the sport took her to championship tournaments throughout the country.  She loved to travel with her family and memoirs surrounding her journeys were relived through her souvenir plates.  Geneva also loved gardening in her backyard and her collard greens told the whole story!   Our beloved Geneva is survived by her husband, John Q. A. of 49 years; son, Jerry (wife-Melody, grandchildren-Brandon, Nathan, Jonathan and Darnell) of Milwaukee, WI; daughter, Valery (grandchildren-Jenesa and Thaddeus) of Madison, WI; son, Clinton (wife-Kerri, grandchildren-Alyssa and Kendric) of Madison, WI; brothers, Albert (Hattie) Ceasar of Joliet, IL; Ross (Estella) Ceasar of Tchula, MS; and James (Geneva) Ceasar of Detroit MI; and sister, Pauline Young of Detroit, MI; brother-in-laws, Earl Smith of Park Forest, IL; Hertis (Mildred) Smith of Madison, WI; McBee (Addie) Smith and James G. (Virgie) Smith of Toledo, OH; sister-in-laws, Annie B. Baker of San Leandra, CA and LaVerne Estes of Richmond, CA; one great grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.   Geneva is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Walter Ceasar Jr., C.L. Ceasar, Jonathan Ceasar and John Henry Ceasar; and sisters, Virginia Byest, Odean Ceasar, Ethel Jones, and Memy Harden; and son-in-law, Willie Jackson.   Services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, September 30 at the SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH 4303 Britta Parkway with Reverend Anthony Wade officiating.  Friends may call from 4 -- 7 pm Tuesday at the CRESS FUNERAL HOME and again Wednesday from 10:00- 10:45 am at the church.  Entombment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. 
                                                    Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 
                                                        3325 E. Washington Avenue 
                                                                  (608) 249-6666