Saturday, September 4, 2010

Genevieve Holton

Genevieve Benbrook Holton, 90, of Poteau, OK died peacefully in Tulsa on Friday, September 3, 2010. She was born in Fargo, OK on June 6, 1920 to A.M. & Mayme Benbrook. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, F.L. Holton. She is survived by her three children, Linda Lynch & husband Bob of Tulsa; Steve Holton & his wife Pam of Poteau & Deborah Gentry & her husband Sam of Poteau; eight grandchildren; Randy & Wendy Lynch of New York, NY, David Lynch of Dallas, TX, Kelly & Steve Percifield of Lubbock, TX, Chad & Jennifer Gentry of Denver, CO, Jason & Melissa Holton of Houston, TX, Chris Lynch of Vinita, OK, Keith Gentry of Denver, CO, Michael & Kelly Holton of Edwards, CO; and fourteen great grandchildren; Lillian, Connor & Holton Percifield of Lubbock, TX, Emma & Addison Gentry of Denver, CO, Ella Percifield of Lubbock, TX, Knox Holton of Edwards, CO, Hudson & Jackson Holton of Houston, TX, Lea Gentry of Denver, CO, Georgia Holton of Houston, TX, Kate Holton of Edwards, CO, Lucy Percifield of Lubbock, TX, & Will Lynch of New York, NY. She is also survived by her brother, Douglas Benbrook of Woodward, OK and was preceded in death by her brother Temple Benbrook. Genevieve attended Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) where she was president of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity and the Glee Club. She graduated in 1942 with a bachelor's degree in music and married F.L. that same year. Following F.L.'s discharge from the Army Air Corp in 1946, they moved to Poteau. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Poteau for over 50 years and served as choir director, pianist, Sunday School teacher and deaconess. Active in community affairs, she served as president of several local organizations including the Poteau Musical Arts Society, the 20th Century Study Club, the Poteau Garden Club and ESA Sorority. She was honored as Mother of the Year by the Daily Oklahoman and the Poteau News and Sun. Genevieve was a major donor to the OSU Alumni Center project and the LeFlore County Womens Crisis Services Shelter/Office Complex. In 2007, the family contributed $50,000 to the Carl Albert State College Development Foundation to establish the Genevieve Holton Music Scholarship fund. "Mama G" will long be remembered for her genuine love and concern for others, her serving spirit and her accomplished culinary skills. Services for Genevieve will be held 10:30 am, Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at the First Christian Church in Poteau, OK with Rev. Dennis Jones officiating. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau. Memorial gifts may be made to the First Christian Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 160, Poteau, OK 74953 or the Carl Albert State College Development Foundation Scholarship Fund, 1507 S. McKenna, Poteau, OK 74953.

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