Genevieve Turner

Genevieve Turner, 95, of Orange, Texas passed away in Beaumont, Texas on March 21, 2019.\r\n\r\nVisitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 28 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, 504 N. 5th St., 77630. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 30 at Grimes Funeral Chapel at 1214 Mulberry St., Bandera, Texas 78003, with interment to follow at Bandera Cemetery. \r\n\r\nBorn in Vanderpool, Texas on May 15, 1923, she was the daughter of Preston Evans Word and Grace (Norman) Word. She was the beloved secretary to the principal at Little Cypress Junior High for 23 years. With natural talent as a writer, she wrote beautiful poetry in her youth, provided a Neighborhood Update column for The Orange Leader, and achieved customer satisfaction from time to time through direct letters to company CEOs. In retirement, she enjoyed reading, researching her family genealogy and completing the daily crossword in ink. Genevieve was devoted to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, making Halloween costumes and prom dresses, holding treasured Friday night sleepovers nicknamed The Giant Rose Club, and becoming an avid Facebooker at age 80 to keep up with their activities. She will always be remembered as the best Mema and the kindest friend to any child or adult who needed a friend.\r\n\r\nShe was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years Richard Turner, parents Preston and Grace Word, sisters Norma Word Manning and Jo Ann Word Griffin, brother Chester Word, and daughter-in-law Kathy Tully Turner.\r\n\r\nShe is survived by her children, Richard Paul Turner and wife Falba of Austin, Robert Alan Turner and wife Tonna of Kirbyville, Leslie Grace Turner Lindsey and husband Keith of Orange, and Preston Joseph Turner and wife Paige of Mauriceville; and her grandchildren Emily Turner Landry and husband Philip and their son Jake, Robin Turner Watson and husband Mike and their children Katherine and Jenna, Grace Turner Matthews and husband Jay and their children Taylor and Jaycie Matthews and Sophie Spell, Amy Lindsey and husband Bryan Johnson and their children Felicity Lindsey and Evangeline Johnson, Preston Turner and wife Kayla and their daughters Bailey, Madison and Kyndall, Richard Lindsey, Leslie Turner Perdue and husband Jonathan and their children Genevieve and Perry, Tana Turner Williamson and husband Brent, and Shelley Turner Landry and husband Brandon. She is also survived by her sisters Allie Maude Word Smith of Anchorage, Alaska and Barbara Word Koimn of Corpus Christi; and her brothers Jim Word and wife Coy of Medina, Jerry Word and wife Opal of Pipe Creek, and Preston Word, Jr. and wife Elsie of Lakehills; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins that she loved as well.\r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested for her favorite charity, Southeast Texas Food Bank, 3845 S. MLK Jr. Parkway, Beaumont, Texas 77705.\r\n\r\n