Geneva Elizabeth Raper Queen

Geneva Elizabeth Raper Queen age 90 of Louisville passed away May 31, 2008 at Colonial Hills Nursing Facility in Maryville. She was born on August 13, 1917 with a birth weight of one pound twelve ounces. Her mother, Lucy Purkey Watkins was buried in Shady Grove Cemetery. A second small grave was dug at the same time in preparation of her death within a few days. Her aunt, Cordelia Watkins Robbins took her home and fed her with a medicine dropper. John Harper Robbins and Carlyle Robbins were so intrigued by her size, they started carrying her in the palm of their hands. She began to thrive and lived almost ninety-one years. She was a member of Oakland Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by parents, Charles Marshall Watkins and Lucy Purkey Watkins and Joseph E. and Cordelia Robbins of Louisville; grandparents, James Marshall and Mary Ann Black Watkins of Louisville, Mike and Mary Purkey of Miser Station, William and Mary L. Barker of Franklin, North Carolina, Drury Emory Black and Nancy Jane Walker Black of Powell; spouses, James Madison Raper and Sheridan H. Queen; brothers, Jesse E. Watkins of Maryville, Carson R. Watkins, Charles M. Watkins, and Albert Watkins all of Miser Station, James W. Robbins, Harvey Robbins, Sam Robbins, Charles E. Robbins all of Louisville, Carlyle Robbins of Mentor, Luther L. Robbins of Knoxville, John Harper Robbins of Santa Paula, California; sisters, Alberta Watkins of Miser Station, Zella Palmer of Knoxville, Anna Bell Lingenfelter of Friendsville, Diadema White of Maryville, Trula Branam of Louisville; step children, Hazel Bible, Betty Smith, Merle Dockery, and Fred Raper. She is survived by her children, Jimmy L. Raper (Hope) of Alcoa, Carol Courtney of Corryton; grandchildren, Christi L. Fields(Brian) of Newport News, Virginia, Darin A. Courtney(Courtney) of Knoxville, David W. Raper (Lacy) of Maryville; great grandchildren, Addie and Aiden Roper of Maryville; step children, Jack Queen (Jean), Gene Queen (Joanie), Jeanette Thompson (Larry) of Louisville; sisters, Mary Lingenfelter of Friendsville, Rosebud Drake of Maryville, Jimmy W. Watkins of Mullins, South Carolina; special niece and nephew, Norman Watkins and Carol Watkins Sneed of Friendsville; special cousins, Margaret (Susie) Finley of Nashville, Allen Pass, Shelby Garland of Maryville. A special thanks to Dr. David Cox and all the dedicated caregivers at Colonial Hills Nursing Facility. Graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at Louisville Cemetery with Dr. Michael Thompson officiating. Friends may call at their convenience after 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 2, 2008 at Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, 983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Geneva Elizabeth Raper Queen please visit our Sympathy Store.