Geneva Laura Smith Caraway, 90, from Newberry, FL, went to be with Jesus on October 26, 2014. She died from heart disease at North Florida Regional Medical Center.
Born in Ailey, GA to Sam Smith and Lottie Rico Smith, she was the last living sibling of ten children. She married DeWitt Caraway on June 21, 1942 and was widowed after forty-nine years of marriage.
Geneva had a ninth grade education yet accomplished many professions, including being a “Rosie the Riveter” during WWII. She shared a dry cleaning proprietorship with her husband for many years while rearing five children in the ways of the Lord.
Her hobbies included singing and playing her guitar, sewing, crocheting, talking about Christ’s return, reading history, praying for her children/grandchildren and talking politics (Fox News). Mrs. Caraway was a long time member of the First Assembly of God church in Gainesville, FL.
Affectionately known as “Meema” by not just her grandchildren, Geneva was loved and appreciated for her sense of humor, laughter, and contagious smile. She enjoyed being a part of every conversation and always wanted to know “what’s going on?”
Matriarch Geneva/Meema was a sweet and intricate part of the lives of her family, all of whom feel a devastating void.
She is survived by her children: Diane (Varney), Gail (RJ), Randall (Debbie), Gary (Ondena), Tyrome, all from Florida; grandchildren: Genice, Dwayne, Shauna, Bethany, Jeremy, Brandon, Cory, Brett, Joel, Jonathon, Michael; twelve great grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Sat. Nov. 1 at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, Gainesville, FL with Pastor Ervin Smith officiating. Viewing will be 6-8 pm on Fri., Oct. 31. Please visit www.forestmeadowsfh.com to sign the guestbook.
Arrangements are under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Homes and Cemeteries, 725 NW 23rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32609 (352)378-2528
Mom, you are my sunshine. You’ll never know how much I love you. Thank you for being the best mother I could ever have. My heart aches knowing I can never hug you again — until that great resurrection morn! Praise God we have that hope! I will see you soon, my precious Mama.
This great woman will be forever remembered! There is a huge glorious reunion in heaven now! Until we see each other again, love, and prayers.
It was a pleasure and honor to meet this beautiful woman, her smile warmed you as soon as she saw you. Thinking of Gail and the entire family, sending prayers for peace. What a comfort to know you will see your sweet mother again. Hold tight to each memory. Love to all. Jim and Gimger
Dear cousins: No words can express my sadness in the passing of your beloved mother and my dear aunt. I know your world has been turned upside down and it will be hard getting used to this new “normal.” Aunt Geneva was not just a mother to her children and an aunt to her nieces and nephews. She was a friend. We’ll all miss her so much but take comfort knowing she is now with our loved ones. We will see them again one day in that glorious reunion. Praying for God’s comfort for all of you.
We are so sorry for your loss. Will be lifting you and your family up in prayer. Soon you will see your Mom beause Jesus is coming back really soon.
To Randy, Debbie, Jeremy, Brandon, Cory and Brett- Our love goes out to your family during this sad time. Love, the Jim Hughes family.
You will surely be missed by everyone who new you .
It is always difficult when we lose a loved one but a mother and grandmother seems harder, since they usually are closer to you than others, Grandmothers certainly are anyway because they love their grandchildren so much and share in their lives so often. I know she loved her grandchildren,, they were special to her.
We are saddened at your loss and are praying for all the family, we know she loved you all.
I had a long talk tonight with Diane about her Mother/my good friend. Geneva and I go way back to 1955 when we moved into the Magnolia neighborhood – new homes at that time. We reminisced about many things. I have so much more to share. Geneva and I spoke over the phone about my battle with cancer. She always kept me in her prayers. I know she will be praying for me in Heaven and I will of her on Earth. (There is no pain in Heaven.) Peace to all of her family and friends.
We will miss you Aunt Geneva! You were truly a sweet lady with a wonderful smile.Prayers to all our family…..
Dear Geneva’s Family, I am so sorry for your loss, I wanted to express my condolences and to leave you with a comforting thought from our heavenly Father; may Jehovah God comfort your family, he is the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthen us in our hardships and trials– 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. May your mother’s beautiful legacy and your cherish memories be a healing force of strength for your family to draw on, lean on your loves ones and our heavenly Father’s ability to strengthen you during the days ahead.
With deepest sympathy I share your sorrow,
My dearest Aunt Geneva, I wish you could have been with us on Saturday. Your children and grandchildren had all of us hanging on their every word as they shared stories about you and quotes of yours. All of us knew how blessed we were to have you in our lives, but we were overwhelmed with the love that surrounded us with such intensity. In the final analysts, we realized that you had tricked each of us into thinking that we were your favorite. That is a life well spent by any measure!
Norma:
Thank you for your precious comment. I have to say, everyone really was her favorite—in the moment she was with each one.
Blessings to you and prayers for a successful and healing hip surgery.
If Debbie and Linda have email addresses, would you please forward them to me at my email address listed here? Love you much, cuz!
I think of mom constantly. I miss her smile that would always comfort me. I wish I could get one more day that I could spend with her! If death teaches us anything, let it be for us to spend more time with our dear loved ones! Thank you all friends and family members for your kind words that you felt for our mother. She was known and loved by many of our friends. She loved you all. What a precious mother God gave to us, I can’t wait till I see her again!
Aunt Geneva is “unconditional love”. She loves everyone equally and only sees the good in them. Her belief in me inspired me to be the best I can be. She was a true example of a Christian and a mentor. I know that my cousins are feeling a tremendous void in their lives now as I do myself. Aunt Geneva is “one of a kind” and never will be another like her. The peace of knowing we will meet again will shorten the journey and knowing Aunt Geneva left behind her love and legacy of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren eases the pain and I can see and hear her thru them. Until we meet again Aunt Geneva.
I can’t fathom my days right now without thinking about my/our mother. She would always listen to my whoas and say, I’m praying for you, honey. It’s gonna be alright.” We all knew we could ask her to pray for us or anyone for any reason, ’cause she had a special connection with our Lord, and her prayers would be answered. I miss Mama more than I ever dreamed I could. For that I am forever Blessed, despite the pain, because she taught me how to love.