Geneva Mildred Lassiter Allen, affectionately known as Gigi by her granddaughter and great-grandchildren, who was 89 years of age, passed peacefully into The Lord's Kingdom on February 25, 2016 after a series of illnesses. She had recently relocated from California to her new home in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas where in her short time there she became friends with many in her new church home Barcelona Road Baptist Church in Hot Springs Village.
She was born Geneva Mildred Hewit in Roff, Oklahoma on January 3, 1927 to George and Ruth Mae Hewit and grew up in and around Tulsa, Oklahoma. There were many others in her large family of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends and she graduated from Webster High School in Tulsa.
She was married to Walter Scott Lassiter in 1943 and had 31 years of happiness with him until he preceded her in death on 1975. She is survived by her two sons Jerry Paul Lassiter and his fiance, Billye Sharon Park of Hot Springs Village , Arkansas and Dennis Max Lassiter and his wife Sandy of Nolensville , Tennessee.
Walter was an executive with Phillips Petroleum and his rapid promotions required the family to move frequently from Tulsa to Enid, OK to Tennessee, to Arkansas, to Maryland, to New Jersey, and finally to Kansas. They formed many friendships throughout their travels and have maintained contact with each other during the years since.
During those travels Geneva managed to compete in and win the Mrs. Enid contest and was a runner up in the Mrs. Oklahoma contest in 1957.
She is also survived by her only granddaughter Andrea Lassiter Kay, her husband Tim Kay, and their three beautiful children Hannah, Rachel, and Maggie who all live in Athens, Ga. Tim is a pastor who currently is serving with African Bible Colleges in Uganda and in the U.S., and Andrea teaches 2nd grade at a school for at risk inner city children.
She was married to Billy Bob Allen in 1976 and was happily married to him for 31 years until he preceded her in death in 2006. They had no children but Billy had many siblings and nephews and nieces who welcomed Geneva into their family and loved her just like she had always been their aunt and she loved them as well.
Geneva was also preceded in death by her brother, James Messamore and her mother, Ruth Messamore.
Geneva was devoted to raising her family in a Christian home and seldom worked out of the home until the boys were grown. She then became very active in various activities and boards related to her church including the Oklahoma Baptist Children's Homes.
Viewing will be 10AM-8PM, Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Jenks, OK, 11701 S Elm St, Jenks, OK 74037. Pastor Rick Frie has graciously offered Pastor Tim Kay, Geneva's Grandson-in-law to officiate the services at 10:00 AM on Wednesday March 2, 2016. The church will provide a meal for the family after the services.
Graveside services are scheduled for 2:00 PM, Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at Memorial Park, 5111 S Memorial Drive, Tulsa, OK 74145.
Those who wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers please make them to Oklahoma Baptist Children's Home, Owasso at 12700 E 76th Street North, Owasso, OK 74055 or on line at
https://www.obhc.org/giving/donations
. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at
www.moorefuneral.com