Geneva Rayl's Obituary
Geneva Myrtle Rayl, daughter of Thomas B. and Cora Myrtle Adams Smith, was born April 3, 1925, near Elmo, Missouri. She departed this life Thursday, July 26, 2007, in the Neighborhood Senior Residential Home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-two years, three months, and twenty-three days. On July 22, 1942, she was united in marriage to Lee Robert Rayl, and to this union three daughters were born. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lee, on July 17, 1993; twin infant great-grandsons, David and Landon Owens; three brothers, Thomas, James, and Hubert Smith; two sisters, Marie Cotton and Ethel Young; and twin infant siblings. Geneva is survived by three daughters, Ann Owens, and her husband, Lee, Alice Ward, and her husband, James, and Julie Coppedge, all of Lebanon, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lewis Smith, and his wife, Opal, of St. Robert, Missouri, and Robert Smith, and his wife, Kathy, of the State of Florida; a sister, Juanita Irick, of Lebanon, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. She was born near Elmo, Missouri, and was raised in the Lebanon area. After she and Lee were married, they made their home on their farm in Pulaski County for a few years before moving to Florida. In 1965, they returned to Lebanon and made their home. Besides being a devoted homemaker to her husband and family, Geneva assisted her mother in the operation of Anderson Nursing Home, and helped in the care of the elderly for many years. Geneva made her profession of faith in Christ early in her life and was an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church for many years. She was an excellent cook and greatly enjoyed having “Friday night suppers” for all of her family. She possessed a delightful sense of humor and liked reading and listening to music in her spare time. Her family was very important to her and she was always a caregiver to everyone, especially her grandchildren. Geneva was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she created for her family and friends. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 30, 2007, in the Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon. Burial will be in the Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday from 4 - 5:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon, Missouri. Memorials to Hillcrest Baptist Church Youth Ministry may be made through the funeral home.
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