Volume 15 , Issue 5

Geneva Lucille Paris Smith (1928-2002)

My journey during February, 2002, took me to the small community of Seiling and Chester, Oklahoma, in Major County, to celebrate the life, legacy and memories of my mother's younger sister, Geneva Lucille Paris Smith. Aunt Geneva had passed away 15 February 2002, Friday evening, in Fairview, Oklahoma, but her legacy was to be remembered by her family, friends whose lives she touched during her 74 years and 10 days, back in February, 2002.

Geneva Lucille Paris Smith (born February 6, 1928, at Chester, Oklahoma) is the second on the left between Mary Barbara (Hurt) Paris and Ernest Claude Paris. The lady on the right is one of her older sisters (Zella, a.k.a. Auntie Jim).

As the sun set in the NW Oklahoma skies, Friday, 15 February 2002 and rose again Monday, 18th of February, the Ernest Claude and Mary Barbara (Hurt) Paris' family were gathering to celebrate the Life, Legacy and share memories of the next to the youngest sibling, Geneva Lucille Paris Smith, who passed away Friday evening, in Fairview, Oklahoma.

I would like to think that Aunt Geneva, Auntie Jim (a.k.a. Aunt Zella) and Vada Eileen have found a great fishing pond near a green, grassy hill to stretch out, wall away the hours fishing, joking and reminiscing about the good old days. I would even suppose Grandma and Grandpa Paris would somehow be nearby with Grandma Mary baking her Bohemian goodies that filled the air everyday and especially during the holidays with the smell of the fresh, warm aroma of pies, homemade rolls, breads, noodles and kolaches.

Uncle Alvin (the next to the oldest son of Ernest and Mary Paris) came to Chester in 2002 all the way from Colorado Springs with his youngest son, Phil Paris, and his wife Milcy. When I was visiting with Uncle Alvin during Aunt Geneva's funeral. Alvin mentioned that "Grandma would bake bread everyday of the week, even though she wouldn't have flour."

Geneva Lucille Paris Smith Obit

The Sunday Enid News & Eagle, dated 17 February 2002, pg-C3 had Geneva's Obit. A "Celebration of Our Mom" was written, read by the her youngest daughter Barbara Paris Walton. A beautiful tribute written with love to celebrate Geneva Paris Smith's life & legacy.

For those of you who did not know, at the crossroads corner of northwest Oklahoma, in a little community sometimes called Cottonwoods Corners, Tailholt and named Chester, Geneva Paris settled with her Husband John Glen Smith and raised three children (Jeanette, Ron and Barbara).

Besides being a wife and super-mom, Geneva was a Justice of the Peace, Tag Agent, Tax Accountant and a Reporter for the Tailholt News. Some of you northwest Oklahomans out there, dig through your basement, attic treasures and find us some of those stories from the "Tailholt News."   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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