Geneva Estelle Brown Ethridge of Brownwood, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2024 at the age of 86. Geneva was born on May 30, 1937 in Scranton, Texas, the fifth of seven children born to the Reverend Otis and Cressie Brown.
Following high school, Geneva (“Gen” or “Geba” to her friends) moved to Austin, Texas to play semi-professional basketball, but soon returned to Mills-Brown County to marry and embark upon her life journey as a wife, mother and educator. In 1970 Geneva began a 30+ year teaching career spent predominately at the public high school level teaching Spanish, English, and Speech. She was especially proud of her years spent coaching debate and UIL students. Following her retirement in 2001, Geneva established a company dedicated to assisting Texas students and school districts with debate and UIL endeavors.
Geneva was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Otis and Cressie Brown; Brothers, Travis and Brit Brown; Sister Martha Cole; Sisters-in-law, Lily Brown and Pat Brown; daughter, Marcella Firth Davis; granddaughter Madison Firth, and; great-granddaughter Haven Flanagan.
Geneva is survived by her son Harley H. Ethridge and wife, Brianna Ethridge of Springlake; daughter Genetha Chastain and husband Kirk Chastain of Brownwood, and; daughter Shannon Rhodes and husband Long Trang of Allen. She leaves behind the legacy of 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren include: Tiffany Flanagan and husband Jake Flanagan of Cabot, Arkansas; Courtney Ethridge and spouse Tasha Zarate of Weatherford; Tyler Ethridge and spouse Danielle Ethridge of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Sally Steele and spouse Caleb Steele of Anson; Braxton Ethridge, Jaylen Ethridge, Reagan Ethridge and Cohen Ethridge of Springlake; Jake Kittrell and wife Misty Kittrell of Brownwood; Katie Chastain of Brownwood; Luke Chastain and wife Melissa Chastain of Abilene; BB Senkel and husband John Senkel of Pilot Point; Kressi Rhodes-Leaman and husband Zach Leaman of Allen; Joshua Ethridge and wife Lori Ethridge of Bangs, and; Thomas Firth and wife Kaylan Firth of Abilene. Her great-grandchildren are: Cain Kittrell, Reagan Kittrell, Rowan Cadenhead, Declan Steele, Grant Senkel, AmberRose Senkel, Ethan Ethridge, Julianna Ethridge, Natalie Ethridge, Sadie Ethridge, Petra Ethridge, Bailey Ethridge, Evelyn Chastain, and Brooks Chastain, and Alli Zapata, and her great-great-grandchild is Kallen Ethridge.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at First Baptist Church, 401 2nd Street, Bangs, with interment immediately following at Jenkins Springs Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday evening, February 2, 2024 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 p.m. at Heartland Funeral Home.
Condolences, memories, and tributes can be offered to the Ethridge family at heartlandfuneralhome.com
