It is with great sadness that the family of Genivia (Powell) Erving, 102, of Boca Raton, FL, and formerly of Lamar, MO, announces the passing of their beloved mother and aunt on April 3, 2025. She was the widow of Russell J. Erving, whom she married on April 6, 1940. He preceded her in death on March 15, 2002.

Born on her grandmother's farm in Kenoma, MO, Genivia Arlene Powell was the youngest of eight children born to the late Daniel and Maelile (Wallace) Powell. In her girlhood, she attended school in Lamar, finishing the 8th grade before moving back to Kenoma to care for her ailing grandmother.

At the age of seventeen, Geanie married her longtime hometown sweetheart, Russell Erving. Russ, fully enlisted to serve in the War, had promised to marry Geanie upon his arrival, but she couldn't wait. They were married promptly and stayed together sixty-one years before he died in 2002. A true Wartime Wedding!

Geanie loved to help. While Russ was away during World War II, she was active in local war and Red Cross efforts, and she frequently cared for the elderly and mentally ill at local hospitals. It was through this that her passion for caring emerged; What once was a chore was now a treat, and despite not finishing high school, Geanie enrolled to become a nurse during the war.

Geanie never was sent off to care for injured soldiers during the war, however, her training proved useful in her many private nursing jobs that she held over her long career in and around Lamar and Barton County until her retirement in 1988.

Geanie and Russ went on to welcome one daughter, Bonnie May Arving, on March 17, 1955. Bonnie was their pride and joy, especially as they had been told early on by doctors that the possibility for children would be nearly impossible.

Bonnie was their miracle child, and they treated her like a Queen. She always had new clothes, new shoes, and the best of everything, even when money was tight. In fact, Bonnie didn't even learn of her parents financial struggles until she was in her mid-twenties!

And those were the types of parents Russ and Geanie were. They always put Bonnie first, and put their needs aside to help their baby thrive. Once Bonnie was sent off to college, they began working for themselves, eventually collecting enough money to pack up and relocate to Boca Raton, FL in 1982. 

Down south, Geanie loved shopping at antique malls and gardening. She was also very actively involved in town politics, and would rarely miss a Board of Education or Zoning meeting. She loved staying social, and became a beloved member of the community quickly.

In 2019, Bonnie moved down to Boca Raton to be closer to her aging mother, and together, the mother-daughter duo was inseparable and one-of-a-kind! They did everything together, all with an iconic sense of spunk. Bonnie and Geanie (Who called themselves the "Bee Gees" were victorious at many Bingo games, and even had their own handshake!

While death is a very sad topic and Geanie's death an unexpected one, it is comforting to know she lived such a long and plentiful life full of love and peace; A life that ended with no pain or suffering whatsoever.

Geanie was preceded in death by many who meant so much to her. Her parents, her husband, her maternal grandmother, Annie Wallace, and her siblings: brothers Parsons (Kitty) and Daniel (Laura) Powell, and sisters Mrs. Maudene (Rube) Vallings and Mrs. Susie Lee (Ulysses) Minker, in addition to three infant brothers. She was also predeceased by her special nephews, Francis (Joyce) Vallings and Richie Roy Powell, and by special nieces ThelmaJune (Anthony) Pinkney and Beverly (Ralph) McCarthy. Many other nieces, nephews, and cousins preceded her in death as well.

Geanie is survived by her loving daughter, Bonnie Minton, of Boca Raton, FL, in addition to over 600 nieces and nephews, including Dorothy (Powell) Marcello and Muriel (late Thomas) Lorlak. A special cousin, Grace (Quigley) Hepler survives as well.

A memorial service for Genivia will take place in Boca Raton, FL, Sunday, Apr. 13. Please reach out to Bonnie via her email (bonzito317@gmail.com) for details.

This will be followed by a memorial service in Spring for all our midwestern family, location TBD. Please reach out to Bonnie via her email (bonzito317@gmail.com) for more information. A private burial will be held in the spring in Missouri.

In memory of Geanie, donations to the American Red Cross, a cause which she valued profusely in life, would be appreciated.

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