HARDEMAN, GENEVA MOORE (1918 ~ 2018). The following is an obituary for Geneva Moore Hardeman, spouse of Dorsey B. Hardeman, former member of the Texas House of Representatives.
Geneva passed away peacefully on Friday, January 5, 2018 at the age of 99. She had an extraordinarily long-life, rich with family and friends of all ages.
Geneva Moore Hardeman was born September 30, 1918 in Brownwood, Texas to Lawrence and Lulah Small Moore. She grew up in Brownwood with seven siblings, graduated from Texas Women's University and majored in Nutrition. She had aspirations to go to grad school, but during the Great Depression, she went to work at the Clinic Hospital in San Angelo as a dietician. While in college, Geneva's father moved the family to Eldorado, Texas where he owned cotton gins, along with ones in San Angelo and Veribest, and to pursue farming and ranching interests in Schleicher and Crocket Counties.
In San Angelo, she met Dorsey B. Hardeman. Dorsey, 17 years her senior, was a successful attorney and was currently serving his second term in the Texas House of Representatives. After a quick courtship, they were married in Memphis, Tennessee while visiting his parents. Following his second term in the Texas House, Dorsey enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and served as Judge Advocate General for the 5th army and was based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After the war, in San Angelo, Geneva and Dorsey started their family, and Dorsey continued his political career with his election to the Texas State Senate, where he served for the next twenty-two years. A life in politics was his dream and Geneva embraced it with enthusiasm, adding greatly to Dorsey's career with her poise, personality and genuine kindness to all. She was a beautiful hostess with a natural flair for entertaining. In San Angelo, her love for the fine arts translated into supporting fledging organizations such as the Symphony Guild and American Association of University Women, which then went on to thrive. What with raising "active" sons, volunteering, traveling and political obligations, her life was most enjoyable. "It almost killed me at times," she was often heard to say "but no regrets for the time and effort spent."
In 1970, Dorsey and Geneva moved full time to Austin when Dorsey was named head of the Texas Water Commission where he served until 1984 under three Texas governors. After Dorsey passed in 1992 Geneva went on "tour" with her two sisters visiting many countries around the world and continued to enjoy her life with her sons, their families, and her many, many friends. In 2015, Geneva was honored by the Texas Senate Ladies Club as the longest living member having been first inducted in 1947. She was a 5th generation Texan whose grandfather and great grandfather both served in the Texas Senate and father was involved in local politics.
Geneva was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and followed her faith.
Geneva is survived by her son Mark Hardeman and wife Francine; their daughter Ann Jene Bunyard and her daughter Isabella; daughter Bevin, her husband Jim Crow and their children James, Caroline, and Francie; her son Bryan Hardeman and wife Rebecca; grandson Will Hardeman, wife Anna and great-granddaughter Lily; granddaughter Geneva (Genny), husband Christopher Hill and great-grandchildren James and Margot; granddaughter Joy Hardeman; brother Jack Moore, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by two sisters and four brothers. A very special thanks to niece Judy Carson who was like a daughter to her and was so attentive through the years. We have the deepest gratitude to Geneva's head caretaker, Estella Avila, and all of her wonderful ladies Liz Villanueva, Patti Amaro, Crystal Carrion, Sandra Amaro, Jeanette Marrero, Rachel L Davila, Stella Ortega Armstrong, and Reyna Sanchez, who cared for her the last seven years.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, January 11th at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3208 Exposition Blvd., following a graveside service at the Texas State Cemetery.
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