Francis "Geneva" (McNeely) Jenkins

Frances Ellis “Geneva” McNeely Jenkins, age 83, a native of Meigs County and lifelong resident of McMinn County, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Geneva was known for her coconut cake and coconut pie which were baked with love.

The Lord answered our prayer as our loving Mom made her crossing from this life only to begin the next where she is now free of pain and sickness. Heaven surely sounds sweeter as she is now joined with her beloved husband and our dad, but most of all she is there with her Lord and Savior forever in His presence. She was a godly, nurturing mom in each of our lives who will be forever missed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father: Ernest McNeely and her parents: Mary Frances and Walter Hicks, her loving husband of 58 years: Boyd “Toby” Jenkins, infant grandchildren, twin daughters of Lisa and Keith Henderson, infant great-grandson: James Keith Henderson, brothers: Weaver McKenzie, Clyde McNeely, and Jim McNeely, and son-in-law: Bill Cherry, Sr.

Geneva is survived by her daughters: Peggy Higdon Rymer, Sue Cherry (Bill, Sr), Lisa Henderson (Keith), grandchildren: Blake Higdon, Joe Rymer, Zach Henderson (Cayci), and Ben Henderson (Cassie), great-grandchildren: Siara, Autumn, and Malachi Cherry, Hadlee Rymer, Adam Henderson, and Waylon Henderson, and her brother: Carl McNeely (Joyce).

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Ziegler Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 7:00 PM at the funeral home with Brother Ben Henderson officiating. Interment will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at Double Springs Cemetery in Athens.

Blake Higdon, Joe Rymer, Zach Henderson, Ben Henderson, Keith Henderson, and Jody Jennings will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Adam Henderson and Waylon Henderson.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Gentiva Hospice of Athens, director Ashton Huber, nurse Jenny Gunter, and their entire nursing staff.

If you are unable to attend the funeral service or burial, you can sign the online registry at: www.zieglerfuneralhome.com

Ziegler Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Frances “Geneva” McNeely Jenkins.