MOUNT VERNON – Geneva K. Simmons Keene, 94, of Mount Vernon, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. She was born on Nov. 17, 1927, in Richlands, Virginia, the daughter of Edward and Bessie (Stiltner) Simmons. Geneva was a graduate of Richlands High School and the Ohio State School of Cosmetology.
She worked for Cooper Bessemer, owned and operated the Keene Department Store in Centerburg and self employed as a hairdresser for 23 years. She enjoyed bowling and playing golf with her friends. Geneva was a member of the Covenant Church where she worshiped her Heavenly Father with her church family listening to Pastor Tim Overly. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother that will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Geneva married her Richlands, Virginia sweetheart, Cecil W. Keene on Aug. 6, 1946, who lived only a “Third and Plumb” from her home in Jolo, West Virginia. Translation, it was the third mountain over and plumb on top. They celebrated 65 years of marriage.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law; Gary and Mary Keene of Mount Vernon, her daughter, Patricia K. Neipling of Mount Vernon; three grandchildren, Angeline (Jonathan) Spaulding, Joseph (Pamela) Secrist, Stephen (Misty) Secrist; four great grandchildren, Alexander and Jacob Spaulding, Jordan and Casey Secrist; two brothers, Charlie (Wilma) Simmons, David (Jan) Simmons; three sisters, Willie Mae Palmer, Phyllis Henthorn and Janey (Darrell) Stull; numerous nieces and nephews and sister-in-law, Phyllis Adair.
Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Cecil W. Keene on Sept. 14, 2011, a sister Edith Kimball, son-in-law, Albert Neipling; two brothers-in-law, Benny Palmer and Marlin Henthorn.
Friends may call on Monday, Jan. 31, at the Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Covenant Church, 13360 New Delaware Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050. Pastor Tim Overly will be officiating and entombment will follow in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.
To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home of Mount Vernon is honored to serve the family of Geneva K. Keene.