Geneva Josephine (Nobles) Morgan

     Geneva J. Morgan passed away peacefully at her home following a short illness on April 12, 2018. She was born in Hot Springs, AR on January 18, 1921 to the late Rev. J.B. Nobles and Mae Phillips Nobles. At age 7, her mother died unexpectedly; leaving 4 children from ages 6 months to 9 years to be raised by her aging paternal grandmother, Mary Jane Nobles. In 1939, she became the bride of Doy H. Morgan from Greenwood, AR. They were married 73 years. Their children were raised in a secure, loving home where integrity, honesty, and a high work ethic was taught and expected. Education was strongly encouraged. Geneva continued her education after her children had graduated from high school because she wanted to be available for them in their younger years. She entered LPN nursing school at Sparks Memorial Hospital, Ft. Smith, AR, and her career in nursing began which was her passion. She retired from Sparks after nearly 20 years in OB/GYN/Post Partum and then the psychiatric unit. Volunteering was something she enjoyed before and after her nursing career. She was always active in her church as a Sunday school teacher, greeter, Sunbeams leader, county Sunbeam director and charter member of Fianna Baptist Church in Ft. Smith, AR. She became an American Red Cross Gray Lady at Ft. Chaffee near Ft. Smith, AR in 1957. Upon retiring, she worked as a tour guide at a registered national historical brothel, Miss Laura's; which has become a visitor's center in Ft. Smith, AR. In her 80's, she was amused when she received odd glances when she that she worked at a "brothel". Through the years, she volunteered at both city hospitals as a receptionist for the surgical waiting room, helped staff a free pediatric clinic and the Grand Ave. Baptist foot clinic. After moving to NC, she continued to volunteer with the Asheville chapter of the American Red Cross for blood drives, having volunteered with the ARC approximately a total of 25 years.
Besides loving her family, she had a strong Christian faith which she shared with loved ones and others as often as possible. People always interested her and she enjoyed learning about them. Her humor was endearing to others, which she continued to display through her last days. She was very alert, savvy and capable until the end. She had "true grit" until her body was worn out. She loved to travel or go "anywhere" as long as she had "wheels". An Alaskan cruise for her 90th birthday seemed to be the highlight of her later years when she had childlike enthusiasm, awe, and wonder. She is predeceased by her parents, husband, and siblings. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Judy Keels of Swannanoa, NC, and Larry (Sylvia) of Georgetown, TX; grandchildren, Victor Martinez (Janette) of Taylor, TX, Shon Morgan of Georgetown, TX, Scott Keels of Hendersonville, NC, Mark (Sandi) Keels of Marion, NC, and John Keels of Raleigh, NC; great grandchildren, Aidan and Faith Keels of Marion, NC; half brother, James (Delilah) Nobles of Ft. Smith, AR; and numerous extended family and friends.
     A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 3:00pm at First Baptist Church, Swannanoa, NC. The family will be receiving friends for a visitation an hour before the service at 2:00pm at the church. Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to be caring for the Morgan Family. The online memorial register is available at www.PenlandFamilyFuneralHome.com.
     A celebration of life will be planned at a later date in AR, with a burial following at Liberty Cemetery in Greenwood, AR. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Feed the Children at 333 N. Meridian Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73107 or a charity/church of your choice

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