Genevieve Dodson Meikle

Genevieve Dodson Meikle

It was not just one blessed event but twin girls who arrived with the assistance of their midwife grandmother, Martha McBride that August 31, 1921 night in Henry County, Virginia to astonished parents Rucker and Maggie McBride Dodson. Growing up in southwestern Virginia with her six siblings, Genevieve recalled days of swimming, fishing, gardening, attending church, learning to cook/can/sew and attending grade school in a one room school house taught by none other than her very own mother.

Genevieve moved to White Plains, New York to live with her older sister and complete her education. An avid basketball player at that time, Genevieve enjoyed retelling stories about the rough and tough competitive matches with other New York League high schools.

It was an elopement for Genevieve and Edwin Victor Meikle who married during WWII only to have the honeymoon phase of the marriage cut short by Victor's U.S. Army enlistment. While her husband was away Genevieve did her part in the Rosie Riveter effort while working with electronics in military aircraft. She retired after later working for seventeen years for the Associated Visiting Nurse Service of New York where she cared for and comforted numerous homebound senior citizens.

Following WWII, the Meikles welcomed their daughter Alice into their family. Genevieve heartily encouraged and supported her daughter's dream of becoming a teacher and served as a volunteer in her upstate New York classroom on many occasions. Genevieve, likewise, followed her interest in sewing and designing items ranging from stylish doll clothes to matching outfits for herself and her twin sister, Virginia. Not satisfied with sewing as a sole pastime, Genevieve eagerly embraced bowling, baking, reading, gardening, traveling and playing her favorite game, Bridge.

A definite Bridge enthusiast, Genevieve's honorary middle name might as well have been "Two clubs or four diamonds." Traveling throughout the country to numerous Bridge conventions, Genevieve also participated in several local New York clubs where she attained high levels of achievement on the Bridge Tournament Circuit. Her living room mantle was weighted down with recognition certificates and trophies. Because of her efforts and dedication to the game, she was granted the esteemed "Woman of the Year" award in 1990 by the American Bridge Association's Metropolitan Bronx/Westchester Bridge Unit.

At a young age Genevieve joined the Mayo Missionary Baptist Church in Ridgeway, Virginia. After moving north she joined St. Catherine's A.M.E. Zion Church of New Rochelle, New York in 1944 and as a devoted member served on the Deaconess Board for decades. She also actively participated in the church's Pastor's Aide Group as well as the Fuel Club.

A longtime member of New Rochelle's Remington Boys and Girls Club Auxiliary, Genevieve spent countless hours fundraising and volunteering for the well-known community facility.

Genevieve is survived by her daughter, Alice; son-in-law, Darryl M. Sexton, M.D.; grandson, Darryl Edwin Sexton all of Long Beach, California and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends who loved and cherished her and will dearly miss her.

Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents and husband, were Genevieve's sisters and brothers: Willie (Buss) Jefferson Dodson, Martha Ann Tatum, Daisy Louise Draper, Virginia Preston, Robert (Jack) David Dodson, and John Tyler Dodson.