Geneva Foster Iiams' Obituary
Geneva Foster Iiams, daughter of Thomas Randolph and Macy Holloway Foster, was born, February 2, 1912, in Linn Creek, Missouri. She departed this life, Tuesday, March 13, 2007 in St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, Missouri at the age of ninety-five years, one month and eleven days. On July 20, 1942, she was united in marriage to Smith Haywood Iiams and to this union three daughters were born. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Smith; one sister, Anna Machir Earnest and two brothers, M.R. “Doc” Foster and Thomas R. Foster II. Geneva is survived by three daughters, Mary Kay Pittman and husband J.D. of Linn Creek, Missouri, Susan Dowden of Kansas City, Missouri and Carolyn Haseltine and friend Stanley Haseltine of Springfield, Missouri; one niece, Linda Hogan and husband Buzz of Modesto, California; a nephew, Thomas R. Foster III and wife Bobbi of Longmont, Colorado; three granddaughters, Katie Dowden, Holly Haseltine and friend Chris Garoutte, and Christy Oldani and husband Dr. Timothy Oldani; two grandsons, John Pittman and wife Patricia and Jeremy Dowden; four great-granddaughters, Sophia Oldani, Brandi Boak and husband Steve, Stacy Silverwood and husband Ryan, Erin Burns and husband Tommy; three great-great-granddaughters, Jessica and Hannah Boak and Ryley Silverwood; one great-great-grandson, Mason Silverwood as well as a host of other relatives and friends. She was born and raised in Old Linn Creek and graduated from Linn Creek High School in the Class of 1929. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Education from Southwest Missouri State Teachers College (Missouri State University) in Springfield, and later earned her Master’s degree from Drury College in Springfield, in 1969. Her career as a school teacher spanned thirty-three years, all of which were in the Camdenton R-III School District. Geneva was a lifelong member of the Linn Creek United Methodist Church, a sixty-two year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a charter member of the Niangua Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a fifty plus year member of the Women’s Literary Club of Camden County. She also was a member of Retired Teachers of Camden County and the Rebecca Circle of the Linn Creek United Methodist Church. After retiring, Geneva enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with various family members. She especially loved picking up shells on the beach in Florida, knitting, needlepoint, bird and squirrel watching and enjoyed her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was also pleased to see or hear from any of her former students and enjoyed “catching up” on what they were doing. Geneva was a loving mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, and was a caring neighbor and friend. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew her and loved her. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 17, 2007, in the Linn Creek United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., with an Eastern Star service beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Camdenton, Missouri. Memorials to Linn Creek United Methodist Church may be made through the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton, Missouri.
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