Geneva May Pemberton

Geneva May Pemberton, 94, passed away peacefully at her home in Bosworth, Missouri on Sunday, March 2, 2025. She was born outside Dawn, Missouri on March 8, 1930 to parents, John Harris & Margaret E. Warren.

Geneva was united in marriage to Lester Brooks Reid of Dawn on September 26, 1947 at the Linwood Methodist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. After living in Kansas City with Brooks’ sister, they moved back to Dawn where Geneva worked at the Dime Store and Maid-rite Shop in Chillicothe. Geneva provided care for her nephew Bobby before traveling to South Dakota for harvest with Brooks. They returned to Missouri to start their own family in 1949.

Two sons were born to this union, Leslie Brooks and Jeffrey Dale. Employment on the Vic Litton Farm raising Charolais cattle would bring the family to Bosworth, where they were active in the Bosworth Baptist Church. Tragedy would strike when Brooks was called home to heaven in 1967. To care for her young family, Geneva operated an Avon sales route around Bosworth, bringing her to the Pemberton farm. It was there that Geneva and Edward Leslie “Les” Pemberton would meet, and later wed on October 10, 1970. Together, they operated the family farm until Les’ death in 1999.

A strong, independent woman, Geneva enjoyed traveling the United States on bus tours and making semi truck deliveries with her sons. Geneva was known for her love of animals, especially dogs and cats; her garden and flowers, often giving plants to her loved ones. She loved games including Skip-Bo and Phase 10, which she taught her grandkids. She enjoyed exploring the outdoors by fishing and bird watching. She never let visitors leave her house hungry or thirsty, always offering pop, milk, cookies and ice cream to share over conversation.

Steadfast in her Christian faith, Geneva was baptized in the Carrollton First Baptist Church and a member of the Bosworth Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School for 35 years and shared her trust in Jesus with all who listened. She was known for her daily devotions, bible studies and many answered prayers. Praise songs brought Geneva great comfort and peace through the many trials of life; singing of the goodness of God was worship she enjoyed until her arrival in heaven. Her wish in life was for all to be believers of Christ. Geneva was a matriarch of her family, caretaker to many and a safe space for all. She looked forward to the day she would meet Jesus in heaven, a promise her loved ones can rest assured was joyful and triumphant for His faithful servant.

Geneva is preceded in death by her husband, Brooks Reid; husband, Les Pemberton; her parents, John & Margaret Warren; brothers John Warren Jr. and Kenneth (Mary Linda) Warren; sisters Dora (Vernon) Macklin, Ruth (William) Gray, Lois (Loren) Heimsoth, two infant sisters Carabelle & Iva Jean, and brother-in-law Bob Gillespie.

She is survived by sons Leslie (Joanne) Reid & Jeffrey “Hank” (Laura) Reid; grandsons Jeremy (Melissa) Reid and Brooks (Stephanie) Reid; granddaughters Jennifer Reid, Audrey (JD) Webb,Nancy (Nick) Johnson, Mary Beth (Kyle) Williams and Cassie Reid; great grandchildren Nathan, Tabitha (Eduardo), Samantha, Jordan (Collin), Christopher, Tyler, Shawn, Jessica, James and Kaden; one great-great granddaughter, Emma; sister Lydia Gillespie and sister-in-law Mary Warren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 9 from 3-5 p.m. at the Heritage Funeral Home in Chillicothe, Missouri. 

As fellowship and meals together were important to Geneva, the family invites all to Turning Point Church at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Monday for a meal before services. A celebration of life will be held on Monday, March 10 at 2 p.m. at the Heritage Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow at the Welsh Cemetery in Dawn, Missouri.

Geneva’s home will be open for visitors following the graveside services.

Memorials in honor of Geneva May Pemberton may be made to Welsh Cemetery, Dawn, or Union Cemetery, Bosworth and left in care of or mailed to Heritage Funeral Home 3141 N. Washington, Chillicothe, MO 64601.