Graveside Services for Genevieve Wicker Baize of Mims Chapel will be held Friday, December 8, 2023, at 2pm in Mims Chapel Cemetery in Avinger, TX with Bro. Johnny Coleman officiating and under the direction of Haggard Funeral Home. Immediately following the Graveside Services, a reception will be held to honor Genevieve’s memory next door in the Fellowship Hall of the Mims Chapel Methodist Church. The family invites all to attend.
Genevieve Wicker Baize went home to Jesus peacefully on November 29, 2023, at the age of 94.
Genevieve enjoyed a long and full life. Genevieve was a Christian, a child of God, and a lifelong member of the Mims Chapel Church of Christ, a devoted wife, loving mother, stepmother, grandmother, great-grandmother, beloved daughter, sister, aunt and great-aunt, and a trusted friend to many.
On November 10, 1929, Genevieve was the first of four children born to Clarence J. Wicker and Zada Ophelia “Zeo” Ferrell Wicker in the Mims Chapel Community of Marion County, Texas. Genevieve was the first grandchild on both sides of the family, and since her arrival into the world was a difficult one, she received a tremendous amount of love along with extra care and attention. Genevieve was a natural born beauty with a personality to match.
Genevieve attended school in Lassater, Jefferson, and Marshall where she learned cosmetology skills and immediately thereafter received her Texas cosmetology license. Genevieve started a successful salon business in the early 196o’s, transforming the hairstyles and providing beauty needs for many clients and family members over several years. Genevieve changed careers from one in the beauty industry to the retail industry. Genevieve owned, operated, and managed multiple successful retail businesses around the
Lake o’ the Pines area. For a brief time, Genevieve found the time to drive a school bus on the lake route for the Jefferson Independent School District, which was an amazing adventure for any student fortunate enough to be a passenger on her bus route.
Genevieve had a special love for the children in her family and they adored her in return. Genevieve always gave the children in her care the freedom to explore their surroundings and environment, which provided each of them with a rich and unique learning experience.
Much like children, Genevieve enjoyed nurturing vegetables and flowers and was an avid gardener. She also had a special affinity for mowing grass whether it was on a tractor in the pasture, or on a riding lawnmower on her lawn. Genevieve shared the vegetables she grew with others, and although she was a good cook, she was perhaps best known for her sweet, iced tea. No matter the season or outdoor temperature Genevieve almost always had a Mason jar filled with her sweet, iced tea, and always extended an invitation to join her. This sweet invitation was rarely declined.
Genevieve had impeccable fashion sense and when she attended any social function, she was most often the best dressed person in attendance. Although Genevieve was incredibly beautiful, she was equally extremely beautiful inside. Genevieve had an amazing personality, with exceptional charm, and charisma; people naturally gravitated toward her. It was truly a joy to be in Genevieve’s presence. She was always happy, positive, uplifting, kind, incredibly funny, witty, and had an infectious smile.
She also knew the exact words to say for any situation, even if those words were her own inventions.
Genevieve was truly a bright light in this world. Everyone loved Genevieve all the days of her life and she will be grievously missed by those who were blessed to have known her.
Genevieve was predeceased by parents, Clarence and Zeo, husband, Donald D. “Don” Baize, sons Richard M. “Ric” Blevins, Jr., and Tommy E. “Thomas” Wadlington, Jr., stepson Arlon Baize, brother Charles Norwood Wicker, and great-grandson Hunter Lane Oney.
Those left to cherish Genevieve’s memory are her daughter Sheila Blevins Starnes, stepdaughters, Laura Baize Hinshaw (Pat), and Doree Baize, stepsons Mark Baize, and David Baize (Shawn), sister Lynda Wicker Starkey, brother Clarence Wayne Wicker, granddaughters Amanda Lynn Wadlington, Hope Nicole Wadlington, and Tomijo Wadlington, grandsons Brian Oney (Michell), Jordan Starnes, and Tommy E. Wadlington “Trey” III, great granddaughters Allie Oney, Cypress Ward, Araya Wadlington, Ava Jordan, Rylie Jordan, great grandsons Landon Oney, Cole Oney, Hunter Chambliss, Thomas Wadlington, extra children Sheryl Starkey and Stanley Starkey (Judy), and numerous nieces, and nephews.