Geneva O. Hunter

Geneva Owens Hunter was born March 5, 1945, in Manning Arkansas to the Union of MaeGirtha Dailey Owens and Gee Owens. Geneva was the 4th of 8 children, in line behind her brothers; Carl, Carlton(Bruh), and Freddie Lee, and followed by her brother Alfred(Pump), and her 3 sisters, Dorethia, Darlene and Marilyn. Many stories have been told that Geneva had her father, the stern Deacon Gee Owens, wrapped around her little finger. For good reason, she was the first girl after 3 hard-headed sons. Not to mention she was smart and adorable as well.

Geneva began her walk with Christ at an early age as a member of Harmony Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. F. O. Jones, where she served in whatever capacity needed. She later joined St. Ruth Missionary Baptist Church, Gum Spring, AR, under the leadership of the Rev. G.H. Jones, Sr. Geneva served for more than 5 decades in multiple capacities at St. Ruth Missionary Baptist Church including financial secretary, treasurer, usher, church planning and many other duties.

On October 30, 1962, Geneva married the love of her life Warren ‘Hosie’ Hunter, Jr., and to this union, three children were born, Janice, Tyrone, and Rochelle. In the early years of what would turn out to be a lifetime together, they made their home in Sparkman, Arkansas. In 1970 the young family of 5 moved to Gum Springs, Arkansas, where they were welcomed into the community with open arms.

The young family moved into a small 3-bedroom trailer while they built a house that would become the home, where they would raise their children and live for the next 49 years.

Geneva attended Sparkman Training School, proving herself to be an excellent student by skipping a grade early in her elementary school years and going on to graduate as valedictorian of her Sparkman Training School 1962 class. Geneva went on to attend what is now known as SAU Tech in Camden Arkansas, where she again graduated at the top of her class as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Geneva quickly gained employment at Clark County Memorial Hospital in the mid ’60s. She later went to work at Arkadelphia Medical Clinic under the direction of Dr. Henry D. Luck, from 1970 until she moved with her husband to Oregon in 1988. While in Oregon Geneva worked at Adventist Medical Clinic with Dr. Miracle and Dr. Rivas. After returning to Arkadelphia in 1991 Geneva earned her real estate license and worked with Reeder Realty, Century 21. After a number of years as a real estate agent, Geneva then went on to work for Farm Bureau Insurance as an agent, retiring in 2005.

Geneva could often be found with her sisters Darlene and Marilyn at local football games, attending community events and shopping.  Geneva loved Paper Crafts, making cards for family, and friends, to keep her hands & mind busy, and for the joy she found in creating something pretty. She loved attending Paper Craft classes, retreats, and conventions from Texas to Washington. Before Paper Crafts Geneva was an avid collector of all things antique, Beanie Babies plush toys, and All God’s Children figurines; traveling with her husband and friends to Mississippi annually to attend All God’s Children Conventions.  Geneva and Hosie often traveled to visit with their children, in Washington, Oregon, and Connecticut and traveled with Robert and Mary to the Caribbean and many other destinations.  

After retirement, Geneva enjoyed participating and volunteering in various community and state activities:

Volunteering with Arkansas Democratic Women’s Party, William J Clinton Library and Museum, Human Development Center. Board member: Southern Bancorp, Patterson Credit Union, Alcoa, to name a few.

Geneva lived a beautiful life, some would even call it glamorous, filled with love, laughter, tears of sorrow and joy, a sprinkling of disappointments, overshadowed by many, many triumphs. Geneva passed on to be with her Savior Saturday, June 3, 2023, in the care of Baptist Medical Center, Arkadelphia in the company of friends and family.

Geneva was preceded in death by her parents, MaeGirtha Dailey Owens and Gee Owens; her husband, Warren “Hosie” Hunter, Jr., who passed six months ago; her brothers, Carl Owens, Freddie Lee Owens, Alfred Owens, and her sister Dorethia Owens Newburn, and granddaughter Danielle Dennis.

Geneva’s gentle smile and sincere kindness will be cherished in the hearts and the spirit of her children, Janice Hunter-Dennis(Robert) of Arkadelphia, AR, Warren T. Hunter Sr., Arkadelphia, AR, Rochelle Hunter-James(McKenzie) of Happy Valley, OR; her grandchildren, James III (Porschia), Warren T. Jr, Kovenant (Emily), Tiana, Jalen, Kamelita; great-grandchildren, Aijah, James IV, Warren, Nova, Noir, Collin; her siblings, Carlton(Bruh) Owens of Warren, AR, Darlene Owens Jones of Gurdon, AR, Marilyn (Fern) Owens of Sherwood, AR; her Aunt Margaret Dailey-Temple, of Little Rock; Brother-in-law Robert Hunter(Mary) of Raleigh, NC, her sisters-in-law, Easter Whitfield of Detroit, MI., Erma Owens of Warren, AR. Lillie Owens of Jacksonville, AR., Maureen Owens of Arkadelphia, AR, Vera Owens of Bellevue, WA.; and brother-in-love, Delton Simpson of Arkadelphia, AR.  a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, including her St. Ruth m church family, neighbors, and dear friends.

Public visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2023, at William Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Ruth Baptist Church in Gum Springs. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 am on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Jamal Brown, eulogist. The interment will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Pine Grove, Arkansas.