Geneva Lee Black

Geneva Lee (Stanley) Black

Geneva Lee (Stanley) Black, 83, of Tempe Arizona, passed away June 20 ^th in Mesa, Arizona.

She was born August 31, 1929 near Greentop, MO to Harry C. and Virginia Mae (Netterfield) Stanley. She was united in marriage to Raymond A. Black, May 28, 1950 in Kirksville, MO.

Surviving is her husband Raymond A. Black one daughter, Joyce Ann Black Wood (Richard), Mesa, AZ; one son, Paul J. Black (Ann), Akron, OH. Also grandsons, Morgan R. Wood, Mesa, AZ; Steven J. and Jonathan Black, Akron, OH; granddaughters, Georgia Black Kreitzburg, Akron, OH; Allison S. Wood, Mesa AZ. Great-grandchildren, Victoria Young, Hannah Beck, Kenneth Kreitzburg all of Kent, OH Johnny Wood of Payson, AZ and Kale Wood of Mesa AZ. She dearly loved her many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Black was the eldest of eleven children. She was reared in Kirksville, MO and moved with her husband to Mesa, AZ Dec. 8, 1952 to make that city their home.

She is also survived by brothers, Rex E. Stanley (Beth), Garry Stanley (Norma), and David H. Stanley (Beya) all of Kirksville, MO, Dean L. Stanley (Sonja) Centerview, MO. Her surviving sisters are Mary Stanley Shepherd, Belmont, NC; Mada Stanley Perkins (Bill) Hazelwood, MO; and Zada Stanley Hamilton (Francis), Amarillo, TX; sister-in-law, Mary Stanley of Kirksville; brothers-in law, Bill Lewis of Edina and Billy G. Kirkpatrick.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Virgil J. Stanley and sisters, Cycle Stanley Lewis and Judy Mae Stanley Moffitt.

Mrs. Black graduated from Kirksville High School, May 1947, going on to KSTC (Truman University) to major in elementary education. She transferred to Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, graduating with High Honors May, 1954. Her further education was an MA from ASU, 1961; certification for Educational Administration 1971, ASU. Further certification was for Higher Education for Teacher Education from ASU, Kent State University, University of Virginia, San Francisco State College, University of Phoenix, and Georgia State College. She was elected to the United Nations, UNESCO conventions held in Sophora, Japan, 1980 and to Strasbourg, France, 1977. Her work was recognized in Who’s Who in the West, 1982. She traveled widely with universities for teacher and administration to Germany, England, France, Scotland, and China during summers that she was not teaching in the classrooms in Mesa, AZ. Geneva began her Christian life at Faith Lutheran Church, Kirksville, MO and was a life-long member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Mesa, AZ. She was the first Sunday school teacher at St. Luke when it was a mission church; further serving her church as a Sunday School Teacher and Summer Vacation School until her children was grown. She was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Women Mission League for many years serving in various capacities. Mrs. Black held membership in Phi Delta Kappa, honorary organization for education; Sigma Phi Gamma International Sorority; Phi Delta Kappa at KSTC; life member of NEA, AEA, and Arizona retired teachers and PEO Intl. Kiwanis. Her interest in history led her to be a volunteer Docent for the Mesa Historical Society. In each group she was a leader as well as a good member. Her strong belief was that one served, not to be served, her fellow beings.

A Funeral Service will be at 11:00 A. M. Wednesday (June 26, 2013) at the Davis-Playle Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, Kirksville, led by Rev. David Lukefahr of Faith Lutheran Church, Kirksville. Musical selections will be The “Old Rugged Cross” and “Beautiful Savior” Burial will be at Brashear Cemetery, Brashear MO.

Pallbearers will be Bill Lewis, Jr., Mark Stanley, Jeff Stanley, Doug Stanley, Morgan Wood and Derek Kirkpatrick.

The family will receive friends for 10:00 A. M. Wednesday until the time of the service at

Davis-Playle Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home

2100 E. Shepherd Ave.

Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Memorials may be made to Make-A-Wish foundation or Ronald McDonald Houses, Cardon Children’s Hospital, Mesa, AZ, or Friendship Village Kiwanis Club Special Projects, Tempe; AZ. Contributions can be left at or sent to the funeral home.