Mary Geneva (Jenkins) Lavender

     Mary Geneva Lavender, 88, of Portsmouth, passed away Friday, November 15, 2024, at the SOMC Hospice Center. Geneva was born in New Boston on August 26, 1936, to the late Frederick Jenkins and Virgie Jane Ferguson McClendon.

   She had worked at the former Sears Roebuck Co. and for 17 years at SOMC in the Same Day Surgery department. Geneva was a graduate of Portsmouth East High School.

   Surviving is her daughter, Sonya Darice Bridwell of Mesa, AZ;  four grandchildren, Zachary Hall, Meagan Hall, Alexandra Nolan, and Aaron Evans; eight great-grandchildren; Zach Jr., Aaliyah and Zayden Hall, Eemilia, Uzziah and Jair Hall, and Schyler Evans-McKenzie; and three great-great-grandchildren, Ella and Wyatt Williams, and Cayden McKenzie.

  She was preceded in death by her son, Bryan Hall; a sister, Evelyn Toppins; three half-brothers, Steve, Fred and David Jenkins; two half-sisters, Freda Gable and Bonnie Phipps; and a stepsister, Catherine 'Kitty' Weaver.

   A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 P.M. on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Pastor Gary Newman officiating.  

  The family will receive friends on Friday from noon until the funeral hour.

  Contributions in Geneva's memory may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at lls.org.

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