Claris Geneva Ross

Claris Geneva Ross, 85, of Pleasant Hill, Mo., met her Savior on Feb. 13, 2013, while peacefully surrounded by her loving family after a battle with Alzheimer's. Geneva was born Oct. 4, 1927, the third of 20 children, to Marvin Eugene and Lottie Caroline (Jackson) Garrett in Bartlesville, Okla. Geneva was raised in Madison County, Ark., and told stories of living in a log cabin with a dirt floor that you could sweep like concrete. She walked several miles to attend school and sewed clothes by hand. She was taken out of school after sixth grade to help with the younger children at home. Geneva worked in a canning factory where she met Troy Clyde Ross. They were married on April 2, 1943, and nine children were born of their union. Geneva was an avid quilter, seamstress and gardener, and loved to share her garden produce with friends and neighbors. Her favorite color was blue. She could stretch a dollar far and prepare a feast in a hurry. She had the amazing talent of sewing clothes she saw in the Sears and Roebuck catalog without using a pattern. She was known as Genny or Grandma Ross to many and famous for taking her Rice Krispy treats to gatherings. Geneva was an active member of the Pleasant Hill First Baptist Church and served as bus captain. Springdale, Ark., became Geneva's home after her divorce and she spent 16 years there as an employee of Best Western Hotel and attending the Elmdale Baptist Church. Upon returning to Pleasant Hill, Geneva joined the Strasburg Baptist Church. She loved to play with children in the nursery when attending church. Geneva is survived by her nine children, Junior (and Carol) Ross, Lloyd (and Pat) Ross, Linda (and D.A.) Kramer, Bob (and Becky) Ross, Dennis (and Mary) Ross, Nancy (and Jim) Hull, all of Pleasant Hill, Mo., Glen Ross of Farmington, Mo., Brenda (and Preston) Sanders of Harrisonville, Mo., Jim (and Donna) Ross of Lee's Summit, Mo.; 23 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Eutha (and Jim) Parkerson of Farmington, Ark., Lucille Rhodes of Springdale, Ark., Preston (and Joyce) Garrett of Rogers, Ark., Robbie (and Van) Sullins of Greenland, Ark., Nadine (and Bob) Mitchell of McKinney, Texas, and Keith (and Belin) Garrett of Garden Grove, Calif.; one sister-in-law, Rachel Garrett of Fayetteville, Ark. Geneva was preceded in death by her parents; one granddaughter, Angella Sanders; one daughter-in-law, Esther Ross; two sisters, Laurene Ross and Ruby Taylor; one brother, Wayne Garrett; and two brothers-in-law, Hubert Ross and R.D. Rhodes. Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at the funeral home. Interment was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to "Community Betterment" for children's park equipment in her memory. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.stanleydickeyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements: Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill, MO 64080; (816) 540-5550.