Geneva Freeman Ingram

Published 9:32 am Wednesday, June 20, 2018

 

Geneva Freeman Ingram, the daughter of Gooden and Ida Tisdale Freeman, was born January 5, 1931 in Lunenburg, County, Virginia.

Geneva received her education at New Grove School in Lunenburg County, Virginia. She attended GED classes with her sister, Sarah Boswell.

At an early age, she was baptized and joined New Grove Baptist Church. During her membership, she diligently served as a deaconess and an usher. Also, she loved attending other community churches, after leaving New Grove Baptist Church; she would worship at West Hill Baptist Church for afternoon services. She was a member of the Missionary and Bible Study Ministries. On first and third Sundays, she worshipped faithfully with her children at New Galilee Baptist Church. She remained an active and faithful worshiper until her health began to decline.

On April 22, 1950, Geneva was united in holy matrimony to Levi Ingram, Sr. To this union, twelve wonderful children were born. She cherished her family and they cherished her. Lovingly, she opened her home to other family members and friends. She was instrumental in the rearing of her grandson, Shanataran Lerioc Ingram, during his early years. While Geneva loved all of her grandchildren, Shan was near and dear to her heart. Through the years, they applauded her as she enjoyed strutting with her stunning hats. She enjoyed cooking, quilting, shopping in Roses, and Dollar General Department Stores. She also enjoyed working in her Seek and Find books. She enjoyed the time she spent in the car with her children. She would share stories of our ancestors and point out landmarks throughout the county. Her favorite color was purple as you can see that her grandchildren have pulled out their favorite purple outfits just for her today. She stated, “Queens wear purple because it represents royalty and I am a Queen”.

Career wise, Geneva was employed by Craddock Terry for over thirty years. Later in life, she was employed by Steps, Inc. in the janitorial department. Outside of work, her community involvement included participating in the Lunenburg NAACP. She was rewarded for being a faithful and dutiful lifetime member of over 55 years. Other activities she embraced were playing bingo at the Lunenburg Senior Citizens Building on Wednesdays and watching her favorite TV shows: Dancing with the Stars, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and Steve Harvey Family Feud (as she called it).

Preceding her in death were her husband, Levi Ingram, Sr., her first born Calvin Leslie Ingram, granddaughter, Robinette Ragsdale-Tinsley; also her brothers: Joel, George, John, William, James, Eddie, Ralph, and Samuel, her sisters: Mamie Lee Andrew, Sarah Boswell, Ida King, and Mary Winn; her two devoted friends, Ishom Hazelwood, and Bernice Edmonds.

She entered into eternal rest on, Saturday, June 9, 2018 at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital, Lynchburg, Virginia.

She leaves to cherish her memory-six sons: Henry (Jackie), Eugene, Ralph, Earl (Joy), Alvin, and Levi Jr.; five daughters: Estelle (Alfred) McCrimmon, Janie (William) Cobb, Ida Ragsdale, Rosa (Arthur) Townsend, Jr., and Sardis (John) Ragsdale; twenty-one grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law: Alberta Dove, Estelle Harris and Isabelle Davis; one brother-in-law: Harlis Davis. Friends of the family: Ruby Ingram, Maxine Jones, Diane Williams, Mary Baker, Dorothy Cabiness, Sheila Hite, Jessie Edmonds, Eva Lee, Easter Crowder, Lennie Coles, Harlis Ghee, Jr., George Banks and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, June 16, 1:00 p.m. at New Grove Baptist Church, Kenbridge with the Rev. Dr. Curtis W. Bagley, Jr., pastor. Interment was in the Crowder Family Cemetery, Kenbridge.

S.P. Jones and Son Funeral Home served the family.