Geneva'sFamily

Family of Geneva Mahala Cook (Walker) Mills

Geneva was born on October 9, 1922 in Murphy,N.C.
She grew up here with her family about 5-7 miles from
town. She and her brothers and sisteres would walk to
the highway down what is now called Cooks Bridge Road,
to catch the school bus. If they missed the bus they would
have to walk the whole way.

She was involved in many school activites such as drama
plays and sports. All the family helped work the farm and
do their part with household chores. They owned a general
store which served the surrounding homes in the area.

She was a cheerful person, never moody and alway eager
to please those around her. Even though hardships and
tragedy, she tried to keep the faith with a positive attitude.

Here are some photos from Geneva's youth

Here she is with her brother-in-law George Portwood who was married to her older sister Anita Cordelia.

After Highschool, in 1940, she married Gordon Coolidge Walker, son of Alonzo and Ella Walker

Gordon's baby picture.

Their first child was Barbara Jean Walker(now called "heather"), born in Blueridge Ga. on September 13,1941.

This same year the war broke out and Daddy joined the Navy and went to the Pacific. In 1943 Gordon's
ship came to San Francisco. Geneva suffered a hard journey to meet him there for "leave".
On December 22,1943, Rita Paulette Walker was born.

Geneva & the 2 girls lived in Cleveland, Ohio, waiting for Daddy to come home.Part of the time Uncle Charlie,
Geneva's brother, lived with them. He crocheted the dresses they are wearing in the photo above left.

Here Rita and Barbara hold daddy's picture; the only connection most children had with their
fathers during those war years.He sent home letters, photos, many gifts, phonograph recordings
of his voice, sometimes singing a song like "Phillipino Baby".
Ooooh!
Summer play! "Snow time" Rita loses her glove in the snow and cries.

"Heather"Barbara Jean Walker was born in Blueridge Ga. on September 13,1941.

1951 1959 1963

Heather with Husband Artist/sculptor GIDEON. Heather & Gideon own their own Gallery/Studios in Miami,Fl.
They have no children together. Gideon has two children/ 4 grandchildren

Heather, grandson Adam, son-in-law Ed Markham, granddaughter Jennifer,
daughter Terry Gideon Markham, grandson Erik, Gideon
With nephews Michael, Jared & Chad, neice Robin

Rita Paulette Walker was born in Cleveland,Ohio December 22, 1943. Her death was May 22.1963

**
Rita was an angel of a person,both in thought and deed. She was lovely, talented and longsuffering.
She was ill as a child with rheumatic fever, which left her heart enlarged, and eventually lead to her death on May 22, l963. She never complained. She asked her doctor if they could give her a new heart. He told her, I wish we could; T think they are working on something like that but not in time for you. Just a few years later they did the first heart transplant. Let Rita's memory be a reminder of us to become organ donors and let others know our wishes in this respect.

Veronica Anne Walker was born October 26, 1946 in Marietta,Ga. Her death was Feb. 8.1995

Anne married Crayman Shearin and had one son, Jeffrey Michael.
Anne & Cray were divorced while Jeff was still a young child.
She never remarried but devoted her life to raising Jeff, building her career,
and spending much time in helping others. Anne was a caring person and
never met an enemy. She handled life and people with the same ease she
handled her business. She was a CEO in charge of personell with Fast Food Merchandisers (Hardees), living at Corp.Hqrs. in Rocky Mt,NC.

She retired to Thomasville,Ga. where her mother, Geneva lived and involved herself in her passion for Antiques. She studied and finally opened her own antique store "Cabin Fever Antiques" and becames quite a success, enjoying emmensely her last years with us. Anne was killed in a tragic accident on February 8, 1995 when a Van failed to stop for red light and hit the car she was in.

Jeffrey & Anne in 1994

.
Here is **Anne as a child with sister Rita and an impish brother Gary peeking from behind.

Gordon Coolidge Walker, Jr. was born in Marietta, Ga. July 8, 1948

Married to Rhonda Prichett......4 Children

daughters: Robin Suzanne, Rita Marsan, & Angela Rene

Geneva with grandson Jared Walker (son of Gordon jr.)
his family: wife Vicky Crow, daughter Caylin and son Blake

Robin Walker, born July 15,1978
Married to Sam McCord, 2 stepchildren: Haley & Garrett......1 child: Austin McCord

Rita Marsaan Walker married to Greg Boxx Angela Renee Walker ....just graduated high school. 99

Gary Michael Walker was born in Marietta, Ga. August 18, 1950

L-R: grandbaby Alden, 3rd son Thomas Stone, 4th son Taylor Mann,Wife Joanne Stone Walker, Gary, 1st son Michael, & Michaels's wife Laura

Gary's 2nd son Chadwick Rhodes Walker

1st Son Gary "Michael" Walker, jr., his wife Laura and their daughter Alden Elizabeth

1953
Geneva is here with her sister,Jean Dell, her husband James Dotson and their son Steve.

1963

1975

As you can see, Geneva doted on her grandchildren.Here with Michael,Chad, Jared and Jeffrey

Gary & Gordon Walker, 1980

1994 "By the rose bush" in the back yard.

1996

1997Geneva & great granddaughter Caylin Walker

1998 Geneva standing in front of her "famous" Azalea hedge row.

A family lunch in Valdosta.
Geneva...Bobbye(married to)Gordon Sr...Gordon Jr...wife Rhonda....Heather...Aunt Anita

On December 8, 1998 Geneva left this earthly home. We will miss this bright light
who graced our lives, nurtured us and loved us with a unique and special gift of life.

"A Flower There " By Heather

In Memory of Geneva
She reached to touch the flower there,
A little ivy and a rose,
But their loveliness could not compare,
To Geneva's sweet repose.
She grew it from a seed's first hour,
And nurtured it till grown;
But she grew sweeter than the flower,
To all whom she was known.
Her life was garnered daily,
With caring love and grace.
Her countenance smiled gaily,
For all who entered to embrace.
Geneva's garden in luster bloomed,
With beauty's flowers there;
But none outshined Geneva,
She's the fairest of the fair.

**If anyone has baby pix of Anne, or other pix of our family, we would appreciate a copy. Most of our early pix were destroyed when our home was burned, thanksgiving 1957. Also, grandma wrote a poem about Rita when she died. If anyone has a copy would you please send me one. Ive looked for years. Anne had a copy, but I haven't been able to find it in her things after she died.

**Note: If you have some writings, family pictures, or ideas you would like to contribute you
may send them to me by mail : PO Box 2956, Thomasville, Ga 31799 or by Email

LINKS: HOME Cook/Walker Index

"Hills of Carolina" Luther & Willie Cook family pages

COOK'S HANGOUT Cook Family Genealogy and related families

"GIDEON MUSUEM" Gideon Art WebSite

"In Fields of Heather" Website of Heather Gideon