Geneva James

Geneva James, age 94 and a resident of Gulfport, died on Thursday, December 26, 2013, in Gulfport.
Mrs. James was born July 18, 1919, the second child of Leon Jefferson Mills and Laura Elizabeth Mills. She married on December 29, 1937, to Houston James in Newton County, MS after a whirlwind courtship (3 days), and was married for over 51 years. She was employed by Jones Bros Drug Company for many years and retired as a bookkeeper in the mid 1970's. She loved fishing and gardening and spent much of her retirement doing both. She did not have a ""me first"" thought in her life, and she always put her family and friends first.
A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great- grandmother and a loyal friend to many people. Geneva enjoyed singing with a group at the Mississippi Welcome Center in Waveland and several care homes for the elderly. A light would shine in her eyes as she talked about helping some of the Bay St. Louis area elementary students with mathematics and reading. Flowers and birds were her friends. Geneva delighted in all her travels over the United States.
Geneva and her husband dedicated many years of their life to the Nugent Methodist Church. Later in life they supported the Waveland Methodist Church.
Geneva enjoyed many months with the Senior Activity Center on County Farm Road. Starting the day and ending her day, the transit authority driver was so dedicated to helping make every day a great one. The entire staff made her activities and visit there so pleasant that she sang their praises every day.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon & Laura Mills; her husband, Houston James; her daughter, Sandra James Webb; one sister and four brothers.
Mrs. James is survived by her children, Janelle Abbott of Gulfport, Melvyn (Arnett) James of Weatherford, TX, and Terry (Gale) James of Diamondhead; her grandchildren, Gregory Hendry, Cynthia O'Donnell, Margo James, Hope Bellino, Alan James, Barry James, Bryan Webb, Spencer Webb, and Wendy Mills; her great grandchildren, David Starita, Scott Starita, Brandi Gonzalez, Jordan Hendry, Amanda Hendry, James Bellino, Samantha Bellino, Natasha James, Vallette Webb, Brenton Webb, Preston Webb, Mallory Webb, Tristen Webb, and Madison Mills and six great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 30, 2013, at 2:00pm at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport, where friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Floral Hills Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Waveland United Methodist Church, 314 Vacation Ln., Waveland, MS 39576, Nugent United Methodist Church, 13183 John Clark Rd., Gulfport, MS 39503, or to one's favorite charity.
For more information, please call (228)539-9800.