Genera Dell Smith Whitehead passed peacefully on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in her home at The Westmore.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 30, 10am at Long Creek Cemetery, Hwy 167, Granbury. Immediately following, her family will host a reception and time of life celebration at The Westmore, 27 Leonard Trail, Westworth Village, Texas.
Genera was born June 15, 1926, in Seagraves, Texas to Robbie Dell Lawson Smith and George Luce Smith. She grew up with her family moving from west Texas to east Texas (Big Sandy) and back to west Texas …following her dad’s construction opportunities. These early years of moving about stayed with her throughout her lifetime.
Genera attended Texas Tech, where she met Dauphin Whitehead. She lived in a boarding house for girls and he came there for meals. Their courtship began with a nickel Valentine and a bouquet of jonquils. They married in August of 1949. She and Dauphin lived in 18+ homes through the years, building four of them. Their life together took them from Lubbock, Texas where they were married, to Grand Prairie, Grandview, Austin, Benbrook, Arlington, Granbury and Ft Worth.
When Dauphin received his law degree in August 1967 from the University of Texas School of Law, Genera received her PHT (Putting Hubby Through) degree. She went on to sell Tupperware, Rubbermaid and Avon. Later she earned her Realtor’s license and sold real estate in Arlington. Genera’s “love affair” with homes continued throughout her life as she designed floor plans for each of their custom built homes, decorated each of them and created a loving home for her family and friends.
Together they raised their family, participated actively in the United Methodist Church and enjoyed dear friends and traveling. She and Dauphin explored almost all 50 states, several countries in Europe and Israel. Her favorites were Hawaii and anywhere that she could find a beach and the ocean. They were life-time members of the Diamond Jubileers Square Dance Club. Genera loved to sew and tend to her flower gardens. She belonged to the Granbury Garden Club and organized her own group of Red Hatters while they lived in Granbury. Her love of family was woven into the fabric of her life.
Survivors: Sons, Robert Whitehead and wife Heather of South Carolina, and Darwin Whitehead and wife Karan of Boyd; daughter Marlene Small and husband Sammy of Keller; ten grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sister-in laws Jerrine Seery of Cleburne, and Sudie Pearl and brother-in-law Roy Tackett of Grandview; a host of loving nieces, nephews, and devoted friends. Our sincere appreciation for the “care and keeping” that has been bestowed upon her and our family during these last few weeks by The Westmore staff.
Memorials: Should family/friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Texas Tech University Foundation – Dauphin Whitehead Endowed Scholarship; St Jude’s Hospital; or the charity of your choice.
