Geneva Ella Haynes

Geneva Ella Haynes, 92, of Sherwood passed away Sunday, December 22, 2024, at Sherwood Nursing Home. She was born June 8, 1932, to Floyd Pryor Holloway and Minnie Ola Scott Holloway, the youngest of five siblings - she had one sister and three brothers. 

She married Lewis Elton Haynes on May 16, 1951. The couple were married 61 years. They were constant companions who enjoyed coin collecting and walking together. The couple resided in Sheridan, Arkansas, where they had their son Steven, then relocated to Sherwood in 1961 when the Arkansas Air National Guard relocated from Adams Field to the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville, Arkansas, and became members of Victory Missionary Baptist Church soon after. Geneva was not employed outside the home. She devoted her time to caring for her husband and son. 

When they moved to Sherwood, they built a home across the street from the local elementary school so Steve could come home for lunch. Together, Geneva and Elton made visitors to their home feel welcomed and valued. A lost art, Geneva and Elton made conversation with those around them a priority, limiting distractions and simply spending their time visiting with their family and friends. Geneva enjoyed caring for children. She worked many years in the church nursery and helped teach a Sunday school class. She loved playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many hours were spent on the den floor playing with Little Peoples and coloring at the kitchen counter. 

She is survived by her son, Steven Lewis Haynes and his wife Karen of Brandon, Mississippi, granddaughter Stephanie Jones and husband Tony of Rich Hill, Missouri, grandson Scott Haynes and his wife Katie, residing outside the country, and great-grandchildren Taryn Jones, Levi Jones, Polly Jones, Suzanne Haynes, Tabytha Jones, Julie Haynes, and Raychel Jones. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Floy McClure and her husband Paul, brother Wayne Holloway and his wife Ruby Lee, brother Arnold Holloway and his wife Dorothy, and brother Paul Holloway and his wife Alicia. 

A graveside service will be held at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery Thursday, January 2, at 10 a.m. Those planning to attend should meet at Smith Sherwood Funeral Home (7700 Hwy 107) prior to 9:30 a.m. to follow an escort to the cemetery for the service. Many thanks go to the staff and leadership at Willow Grove Assisted Living, where she resided from 2020 until shortly before her death, and Gentiva Health Services. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gentiva Foundation. For more information on donating, visit their website gentivahs.com. Donations may also be made to Explorer’s Bible Study online at istudyebs.org/donate