Geneva Loretta "Neva" Meeks

After a full life of hard work, laughter, and devotion to her family, Mrs. Geneva Loretta Mays Meeks, best known to all who loved her as “Neva,” entered into her Heavenly Home on Sunday morning, August 24, 2025, at Diversicare Health and Rehab.

Funeral services honoring Mrs. Neva’s life will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home. Her grandson, Brandon Jones, will share the eulogy, and Bro. Stacey McKee will bring words of comfort. Visitation will be from 5 PM until 8 PM on Tuesday evening, August 26, 2025, at Ripley Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Whittentown Baptist Church Cemetery.

Born on March 10, 1946, in Union County, Mrs. Neva was the daughter of the late Bill and Elizabeth Ann Wilkerson Mays. She graduated from Grand Junction High School, and by God’s providence, while working in a little diner, she met the love of her life, Mr. Bobby Meeks. They married on April 13, 1968, and shared a life full of love, laughter, and friendly aggravation until his passing. Together, they built their home in the Tippah County community, raising three daughters and spending their days side by side, often finding joy in seeing who could aggravate the other more. Their love was deep, steady, and inseparable.

A woman of Christian faith, Mrs. Neva was not your typical soft-spoken Southern lady. While she had a heart of gold, she also had a quick wit, a sharp tongue, and a way of telling the truth as she saw it. She had no problem sending Bobby on errands to yard sales, sweet-talking him into handing her a little “spending money,” or whipping up her famous Southern dishes—like stewed potatoes and cornbread—for her grandchildren. She loved putting on her favorite gospel albums while cleaning house, all with her trademark Red Man chewing tobacco tucked in the corners of her smile. She lived life her way, firm in her convictions, yet always full of humor and grit.

Though stubborn at times, her loyalty was unmatched. Mrs. Neva never turned her back on family and always kept her door open to those in need. Her counsel—whether requested or not—was honest and heartfelt, and her friends knew they could count on her to be genuine, dependable, and true.

Although this world is now a little quieter and less colorful without her, we rejoice in knowing that Mrs. Neva has entered her eternal reward. She is reunited once again with her beloved Bobby, likely picking up where they left off—aggravating one another with the same love and laughter that carried them through life. And above all, she is now worshiping at the feet of her Savior, where her spirit is forever at peace.

Those left to carry on her legacy include three daughters, Jo Anna Jones (Virgle), Billie Jean Smith (Tommy), and Nancy Luttrell (Marvin), one brother, Ray Mays (Mary), eleven grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, one stepdaughter, Vickie Richardson, and a wide circle of cousins, family, and friends.

She is also preceded in death by one grandson, Justin Robert Jones, one great granddaughter, Dixee Lynn Jones, two brothers, Billy and Johnny Mays, and one sister, Eva McClure.

Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Mrs. Neva's family.

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