"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."
Proverbs 31:10

Geneva W. Bates Whitaker,  daughter  of  the  late  Willie  T.  and Vivian  Glenn  Bates,  was  born  on  May  20,  1937  in  Winnsboro  (Fairfield  County), South Carolina. After a lengthy illness, on September 6, 2024, God touched her hand and called her home to rest. She was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Whitaker;  two  children,  Deborah  Brightful  and  James  J.  Emerson;  one  grandson, Michael Gibson; two siblings, William Bates, Jr. and Melissa C. Bates-Alston.

Geneva  received  her  education  in  Winnsboro,  South  Carolina.  She  held numerous  of  jobs  in  her  early  years.  In  1983,  she  started  her  career  with  Collins Lithographing,  currently  known  as  Uptown  Press,  until  she  retired  in  2019.  She accepted  Christ  as  her  personal  savior  at  the  Morris  Creek  Baptist  Church  in Winnsboro,  South  Carolina  and  continue  her  Christian  Experience  in  Baltimore, Maryland. She later met and married the love of her life in 1990, the late, James A. Whitaker.

She lived an abundant and fulfilling life because of her overwhelming love for her family and friends. She loved cooking, going fishing, coloring pretty pictures, entertaining her family and taking road trips. She was loved by many for her sense of humor and she will be missed and forever in our hearts. For now, we will celebrate and let Geneva rest; although we loved her, God loved her best.
She  leaves  to  cherish  her  most  memorable  memories:  three  grandchildren, Antonia  (Katrina)  Emerson,  Deanna  (Kelvin)  Curlee  and  Edward  L.  Haskins,  Jr.; sixteen great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren, one sister, Elenora (Willie) Goods;  two  brothers,  Gary  (Christina)  Bates  and  Willie  Bates;  one  sister-in-law, Delores   Bates;   one   uncle,   Clifton   Dubois   Glenn;   two   devoted   friends,   Gloria Stephens and Barbara Carter; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
"Until We Meet Again"
We think about you always, we talk about you still. You have never been forgotten, Geneva, and you will never will. We hold you close within our hearts and there you
will remain. To walk and guide us through our lives, Until we meet again!
Lovingly Submitted, The Family