Geneva Shands

Geneva Sammons Cline Shands, 82 of Gilbert, WV, left this world to meet those waiting for her in Heaven on Monday, November 23, 2015 from her daughter’s home in Gilbert, WV.

Geneva was born on February 2, 1933 in Crum, WV, to the late William Pearly and Goldie Sammons.

In addition to her parents, Geneva was also preceded in death by her first husband: Lenden Cline; two sons: Gregory Pearly Cline and Randy Russell Cline; her second husband: John H. Shands; her brothers: Leonard Sammons, William Howard Sammons, Benny Sammons, Hubert Johnson and Sonny Steele; her sisters: Elizabeth Thompson and Lucille Steele.

She was a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Justice, WV. She was a retired educator. After quitting school at age 14 to marry, she went back to school later in life to obtain her GED, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Marshall University and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood from Morehead State University. She served as Mingo County’s Headstart Director in the 70’s, but returned to her “true love”, teaching in the 80’s.

Geneva was a compassionate woman who truly cared for others. She gave very sound advice, because she listened with her heart. She was an avid reader and loved sewing. Her two favorite things were serving the Lord and spending time with her family. She considered family a most precious gift from God.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Linda (Jim) Nagy, Katrina (Jim) Brown; her grandchildren: Stephanie (Keith) Poe, Jimmy (Shanna) Nagy, April Cline, Travis Brown, Tyler (Stephanie) Brown and Alyssa Cline; her great grandchildren: Kaleb (Cassidy) Cline, William Poe, Hollie, Jacob and Sarah Nagy, Lexie Neace, Samuel and Benson Brown; her sister (and very best friend): Verna McKean of Galloway, Ohio, sisters Faye Testerman of Baisden, Carol May of Smith Mountain, VA., and brother Roy Sammons of Wirtz, VA.

Friends may gather with the family Friday, November 27, 2015 from 11 am to 1:00 pm at the First Missionary Baptist Church of Justice. Funeral services will be on Friday, November 27, 2015 at 1:00 pm at the First Missionary Baptist Church of Justice, WV., with the Rev. Jim Nagy and Charles “Timer” May officiating. Eulogy will be given by Terry Sammons.

Burial will follow at the Justice Memory Gardens in Justice, WV.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Nagy, Jacob Nagy, Keith Poe, William Poe, Travis Brown, Tyler Brown and Kaleb Cline. Honorary pallbearers will be her nephews.

Her wonderful smile and gentle heart will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to have known and loved her.