Martha Geneva Phillips - Tuttrup

Geneva Tuttrup passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on February 4th, 2026. She was born on November 1, 1935, to Clarence and Ada Phillips in Lillydale, Tennessee. Geneva's family moved to Gamaliel, Kentucky, after the Tennessee Valley Authority Act (TVA) took their home in Tennessee. When Geneva was 14 years old, she was baptized in a river in Gamaliel, Kentucky, and became a Baptist. Geneva remained a dedicated and devoted Baptist her entire life.

Geneva came to California in June 1951 and finished her last year of high school in Reedley, California, where, at the age of 16, she became valedictorian of her Reedley High School class of 165 students. Geneva began her career with Bank of America on October 12, 1952, at the age of 16, and was employed by Bank of America for 43 years. At the time of Geneva's retirement in 1995, she had been Vice President and manager for the Selma Branch for 8 years. She was a pioneer for women in the business world.

Geneva was also a dedicated community leader. She was a charter member of Team Selma. She became a devoted ambassador for the City of Selma and remained in this position until her health declined. She served on the Selma Hospital Foundation board for over 10 years as a trustee and the last three years as president. Geneva was on the board of the Selma Women's Club in various positions, including President of the Club. She received the "Women of the Year" in 2000 and 2009. Geneva was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Guild for many years. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, Selma Charter, called the Dazzling Divas. When she was manager of the Bank of America Kingsburg Branch, she served on the Kingsburg Chamber of Commerce. Geneva was named Selma's "Distinguished Citizen of the Year." Geneva and her husband were also Arena Builders of the Save Mart Center.

Geneva met the love of her life when she was on the teller line with Bank of America. This handsome man from Wisconsin made a deposit for the City of Dinuba. It was love at first sight. They were married June, 20 1964. He lived his life to make Geneva happy. In all of her community work, he was always by her side.

Geneva was preceded in death by her husband, Richard C. Tuttrup, her father and mother, five siblings, J.B Phillips, Maedean Taylor, Willie Dee Phillips of Gamaliel, Kentucky, Freeman Phillips of Dinuba, California, and Bill Phillips of Reedley, California. Geneva is survived by two children, Richard J. Tuttrup and Tamara L. Saenz, daughter-in-law Kennette Tuttrup, sonin-law David Saenz, and four grandchildren, Tannisse Tuttrup, Jordyn and her husband Clayton Fox, Aubrey and her husband John Gaytan, Jessica Saenz, and one great-grandson, Peter Gaytan. Geneva loved her children more than words can say. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and they loved their grandma.

"the family requests everyone wears purple as it was Geneva's favorite color."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org/about

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