Geneva Godwin

Geneva LaVerne Godwin, 95, of Jackson, passed away Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

She was born March 4, 1924, in Hickory Grove, Missouri, to Wilfred Smith and Cora May Penturf Brown. Geneva married Cletus Runnels on May 10, 1942; he preceded her in death in April 1945. She then married Edward John King on July 3, 1947; he preceded her in death Feb. 26, 1970. On Nov. 6, 1971, she married Oswald Pingel; he preceded her in death Dec. 19, 1985. She then married Arnell F. Godwin on June 17, 1989; he preceded her in death Nov. 25, 1998.

Geneva was a 1942 graduate of Delta High School, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in education in 1958 from Southeast Missouri State University and received master's degrees from the University of Missouri Columbia and Truman State.

For the first 12 years of teaching, she taught first through eighth grades at Hickory Grove, then taught at Round Pond Schools and Cane Creek. In February of 1955, she came to Jackson and taught third grade until 1964. Lastly she taught at Ft. Zumwalt in O'Fallon, Missouri, for 21 years. She retired from teaching June 6, 1985.

She was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church, the Wesleyan Circle, United Methodist Women, Missouri Retired Teachers Association and was recording secretary for the Greater St. Louis Air Stream Association. Geneva enjoyed camping, reading, gardening and traveling.

Survivors include a sister-in-law, Carol Slusher (the late Charles); brothers-in-law, JD (Lee) King, Leo King (the late Wanda), Lyman (Deloris) King, Gene (Sue) King and Tommy (Diane) King; stepson, Wayne Godwin of Jackson; stepdaughters, Gaitha Athens of Columbia, Missouri, and Carolyn Kipp, Mary Lou Petot and Nancy Caldejon, all of Perryville, Missouri; numerous grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her four husbands.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Jackson.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to New McKendree United Methodist Church or Southeast Hospice.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.