Obituaries

Ruth "Geneva" Harwell

Ruth "Geneva" Bryant Harwell, 90, of Little Rock, went to heaven on June 14, 2018. She is predeceased by her parents, Chelsey & Cora Bryant; her husband of 45 years, Raymond Harwell; and her sister, Louise Bryant. Geneva grew up in a family that loved music. Her mother taught her to play an old pump organ. She taught herself to play piano, guitar, accordion, and the harmonica. Her family formed the Bryant Family Quartet and sang at churches and on radio programs across Arkansas during the Golden Era of Gospel Music. They were the featured singers at a "brush arbor gathering" (tent revival) that marked the start of Geyer Springs Baptist Church. Her music-making had an upbeat rhythm that caught hold of her audience and wouldn't let go. She played piano for her Sunday School Class at Asbury United Methodist, local nursing homes, and a steady Wednesday night "gig" at the Hays Senior Center. After graduating from NLR High School, she went to work for Mobil Oil where she met Raymond. Following job transfers to Amarillo, Dallas, and Los Angeles, they returned to Little Rock in 1971. Geneva went to work for Little Rock Water as the "frontline face and voice" where she greeted customers as "Hon" and "Suga'". She retired in 1989. Geneva gave big hugs, firm squeezes, hard pinches and "Suga' Booga'". She is survived by her cousins Donna Carlson (Steve), Buddy Davenport, Harold Davenport, Jennifer Thomason (Ben), and Chad Carlson (Amy); two god-daughters, Karen Griffin & Stephanie Bowman; and a host of extended family. Memorials may be made to the Music or Prison Ministries of Asbury United Methodist Church of Little Rock. A graveside service will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Pinecrest Memorial Park, under the direction of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth. Please share your memories and messages of love, comfort and support with the family at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.

Published June 15, 2018

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