Geneva Setser Obituary

Geneva Barnett Setser, 89, affectionately known to many as ""Mumsi,"" departed for heaven on Sunday, July 6, 2025, after an extended stay at Murphy Rehab & Nursing.
She was born on May 3, 1936, in Murphy, N.C., the fourth of six children, to Samuel Abram and Jessie Mae Coffey Barnett. She was raised in the Peachtree Community of Cherokee County.
Geneva graduated from Murphy High School in 1954 and began her work career soon after with optometrist, Dr. William R. Gossett, in Murphy. While working there, she met a handsome stranger from Macon County, James Carlton ""Pete"" Setser, who was in the area working on a NCDOT road project. Geneva and Pete eloped on July 27, 1955, in Walhalla, S.C., and remained married until Pete's death on Nov. 30, 2008.
Geneva treasured all children – many of them not her own but adored just as much – including Sheila Gossett Snow, Darrell Gossett, Gary Setser, Debra Rich Robinson, Sharon Barnett McDonald, Pam Setser Hanak, Peggy Rich Stanley, Darryl Barnett, Trevis Hicks and Jadrien Barnett.
After staying at home with her own daughter and son for a few years, Geneva returned to work in the late 1970s. She worked in several offices in the Cherokee County Courthouse: tax records, land records and mapping, Register of Deeds and Clerk of Superior Court. She retired in 1999 as Deputy Clerk of Court.
Geneva was a lifelong and active member of Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church; faithful in prayer, church attendance and daily Bible study. She was a member of the Marie Hendrix Sunday School Class and volunteered in various capacities at PMBC over the years including Vacation Bible School, backpack ministry, Sunday School and the hospitality committee. Her favorite ""job"" ever at church was teaching Carol Hendrix, Susan Swint, Linda Hendrix, Vickie McKinnon, Paula Edwards and Kristi Hendrix in the Middle Girls Sunday School Class.
Geneva also volunteered at Peachtree Community Club, participating in various fundraisers and other club events.
Geneva was a marvelous cook and a prolific maker of beautiful things. A lifelong learner and avid reader, she was happiest when she was giving one of her creations away. She also enjoyed bird watching and flower gardening. She nurtured lovely tea roses of red, pink, coral and yellow, and often shared a vase of roses to brighten someone's day. She loved dogs and cats.
In addition to her husband and parents, Geneva was preceded in death by infant granddaughter Samantha Setser; siblings, Clarence Barnett, Ruth Barnett Shields and Franklin Barnett; in-laws, Bryan and Estelle Justice Setser; brothers-in-law, Andy Setser, John Setser and Fred Setser; and sister-in-law, Lucille Setser Allen.
Family was the center of Geneva's life. She loved each member dearly and lifted each one in prayer. Left to cherish her memory are: a son, James Andrew ""Jimmy"" Setser and wife Renee; a daughter, Jeanie Setser Teague and husband Eric; a granddaughter, Hannah Setser Williams and husband Jonathan; two step-grandsons, Matthew Teague and wife Karissa, and Adam Teague and wife Karlee; one great-grandson, Grayson James Williams; and two step great-grandchildren, Maverick Teague and Quinn Teague, all of Murphy. Geneva helped her parents raise two of her nieces, Debra Robinson and Peggy Stanley; and remained extremely close to both throughout her life. Also surviving are sisters, Opal Barnett Sims and Barbara Barnett Berrong, both of Murphy; sisters-in-law, Patricia Setser Wilson of Belton, S.C., Nancy Setser Bulgin of Franklin, N.C., and Carolyn Setser Waters of Franklin, N.C.; and more than 25 nieces and nephews.
A service celebrating the life of this precious mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 13, in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, N.C. The family received friends at Ivie Funeral Home from 12:45-2:45 p.m. Dr. Chester Jones and the Rev. Noah Crowe conducted the service, with music provided by Suzanne West and Anthony Nichols.
Serving as pallbearers were Buck Chambers, Keith Zimmerman, Todd Davis, G.W. Hendrix, Ken Beal and Dave West. Honorary pallbearers were Max Odell, Allen Chambers, Earl Bradshaw, Darryl Smith, Dr. Brian Mitchell and Dr. Russell Hughes. Burial was at Peachtree Community Cemetery.
Geneva's children wish to thank Dr. Carlos Vargas, Dr. Brian Mitchell and the staff of Murphy Rehab & Nursing for the compassionate care of their mother, especially the staff of the Cardinal Way memory unit. The family also wishes to recognize the attention provided to Geneva at home by Rosie Rogers, Annette Parker, Katie Thoren and Becky Swain.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Geneva's memory to the Bible ministry of: The Gideons International, P.O. Box 164, Murphy NC 28906.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, was in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at iviefuneralhome.com.