Geneva Schmidt Crawford

GENEVA SCHMIDT CRAWFORD                                                11-21-30–02-05-22

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 states in part “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”  Geneva Schmidt Crawford spent 91 years on this earth doing all of these things.  Geneva was saved by grace through Jesus Christ.  She leaned on her Lord and Savior, not only during the hard trying times, but also when life was beautiful and easy.

Geneva was a people person. She was vibrant, caring, and energetic.  She was a fabulous, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend.

Geneva loved little ones. From her grandchild Christopher, her Sunday School students, the neighborhood kids, her caregivers’ children and grandchildren, and her little dogs, BeeGee and Megan, who never left her lap, they gravitated to her.

She was a gifted artist.  She painted numerous oil masterpieces, many of which grace the walls of her home.  She loved to cook, and everyone wanted to be the recipient of her cooking. She played the organ beautifully as well as sang in her church choir.  She also taught the elderly ceramics during her stint as activities director in an Assisted Living Facility.

Geneva loved being pampered, from her manicures to her jewelry, to her clothes, homes, and vehicles.  Even so, she was still generous with her talents, and time.  She often gifted home cooked meals, but more importantly, she gifted her time.  She not only ran errands for others but was present when others needed someone to just listen.

Since her stroke in 2015, Geneva was very blessed to have had numerous kind, caring, knowledgeable, patient, funny caregivers.  There have been too many to list. But special note to her favorite caregiver, who was with her in the beginning days after her stroke, and in the ICU Room, holding her hand, as she drew her last breath, encouraging her that all would be okay if she just trusted her.  Renee Settles, no words can convey how much you meant to Geneva, and Shelly.

Geneva was born in Lamb Texas on November 21, 1930.  She then moved to California around 5 years of age, after a tragic plane crash took the life of her father.  Geneva was the eldest of 5 girls.  After marriage, Geneva lived in Hendersonville, Tennessee, before eventually moving to Crestview, Florida.  Geneva was an active member of First Baptist Church of Garden City, until her stroke in 2015. Geneva is survived by her daughter, Linda Turiello, her son, Michael Finley (Diana), and her sister, Fay Sgroi.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Orville Ray Tabor and Velma Zethna Bynum, her husbands, Bill Schmidt and Shelly Crawford, her son, Larry Ellis, her great grandchild, Dawson, and her three sisters, Melva, Opal, and Joy.  Geneva has 4 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. Geneva’s beautiful, full life ended peacefully at North Okaloosa Medical Center, in Crestview, Florida on February 5, 2022.

Geneva loved God and put her faith in Jesus Christ.  So, while we are sad that we no longer have her here on earth, we know we shall see her again when our time comes to enter our heavenly home.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, February 11, 2022, beginning at 2:00 p.m., from the Chapel of Brackney Funeral Service, with Reverend Dennis Robinson officiating. The family will receive friends Friday, February 11, 2022, from 1 to 2 pm at the funeral home.

You may leave your condolences at www.brackneyfuneralservice.com