Saying goodbye to Grandmother was a competitive sport for her grandchildren with each vying to get the last hug and kiss to end a visit. She was happiest surrounded by them. Sugar cookies, waffles and jelly rolls were abundant and competed for also. Saying good bye now is difficult, but her children and grandchildren were blessed to have her.
Geneva Aleen Gifford was born March 23, 1927 in Haskell County to Jim Jackson and Marscilla Wheeler Gifford. She died October 20, 2017 at age 90. She resided on a farm between May and Rising Star graduating from May High School in 1943. She worked at the telephone switchboard at Camp Bowie during WWII.
Alfred Doyle (Red) Hester and Geneva were united in marriage on May 25, 1946 in Brownwood. They lived most of their 45 year marriage in the Brownwood/Blanket area. They had three children: Sheryl Ann, Terri Lee and Michael Doyle.
She attended Brownwood Commercial College and retired from Smith Bell Accounting.
Her son, Michael Doyle and his wife, Kathy Williams Hester live in Midland, Texas.
Grandmother’s passion for her grandchildren was prominently displayed on a long hallway of her home on the Blanket Highway. She had a large sign entitled “Wall of Fame” with 16×20 portraits of each grandchild. She loved having each grandchild visit separately for a good deal of spoiling and none can recall hearing the word “no” from her.
Grandchildren in Snyder are Lisa Lamb and husband, Scott Diggs; Sandy Lamb and husband, Michael Ward as well as Scott Lamb and wife, Rhonda Ray. Scott’s deceased wife (2012), Misty Hall, was cherished too. Michael Jared and wife, Alexandra Edwards Hester reside in Midland. Jordan Hester resides in Wimberley.
The love and spoiling continued to the next generation of great grandchildren: Paige Diggs, Colby Diggs, Chris Ward and wife Kaitlyn Hargrove, Hunter Ward and longtime girlfriend, Rebecca Gunset; Chelsey, Aaron, Weston and Trevor Lamb; Jack Hester, Everett Klepper; AJ and Shelby Ray. She has one great great grandchild, Layla Lennell Lamb.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband (1992). She was also preceded in death by infant, Terri . Her daughter, Sheryl Ann and husband, Ronnie Lamb died in 2004. Her siblings: LolaBell Gifford Sanderson, J. W. Gifford and Lewis Gifford preceded her in death.
She had many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly too.
She was a member of First Baptist Church Blanket and later Calvary Baptist Church in Brownwood.
Her grandsons and great grandsons will be pallbearers.
Geneva moved to Midland, Texas in 2015 residing in an independent apartment at Manor Park Retirement Community.
Services will be held at Davis-Morris Funeral Home in Brownwood on Tuesday, October 24 at 2 p.m. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Monday at the funeral home.
Hugs and kisses goodbye from all your grandchildren and we all win from having you in our lives.
Online memorials can be left at www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com
