Genelle Chitty

Genelle Chitty passed away in the early morning of July 11, 2022. Genelle was born in Coffee County Georgia to the late Edward Willis Fortune and Gencie Hutto Fortune. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Terry Raymond Chitty and her sisters Miriam Garner, Nina Mae Birch, Mary Clyde Rowland and Frances Luke. Genelle was raised in Coffee County and lived there until adulthood. She was very proud of her father and his work as a blacksmith. She proudly displayed some of his blacksmith tools in her home. She moved to the Manatee County area in Florida after graduation. She had 5 children - Esther, Lista and Walter, Paula and Edward. She raised her 5 children in the Bradenton/Palmetto area. She was a homemaker and when her husband Paul passed in 1981- Genelle went to work for the Manatee County School system at Palmetto Elementary. She enjoyed many years in a Kindergarten classroom helping Spanish speaking students learn English. A few years after her retirement she relocated to Powder Springs Georgia where she resided for the last 19 years. Genelle was known for many things. Her trademark was her skills as a master seamstress. She could make anything. She sewed clothes for her children and grandchildren. She was a crafter. She crocheted rugs, slippers, pot scrubbers, hats, purses and more. Everyone she knew had something made by Genelle. She was a quilter and made many beautiful quilts over the years. She always had a sewing room and it was a magical space for her grandchildren. Buttons, fabric, ribbon, and yarn were everywhere. And anyone who took an interest- learned to sew or crochet. Even the boys. Genelle and her mother and sisters frequently would be seen crocheting together at reunions and comparing new patterns. For her grandchildren many of our memories were of seafood. We fished, cooked clams, and boiled shrimp. She loved fresh fruit and vegetables. And there were plenty to be found in Florida. We picked oranges, mangos, strawberries and more. In her later years, she was an avid Words with Friends player and the great grands loved playing War with her set of large print playing cards or a good game of Farkle. They all say she cheated. But she said they cheated. We will never know for sure but we can all agree she wasn’t just going to let you win. You had to win fair and square. She loved music especially Billie Joel Royal. She loved his song “Tell it Like it Is”. Which was fitting because she told it like it was. We knew she loved us- but she wasn’t going to do anything she didn’t want to. She knew how to fish, sew, cook, and do many practical things and she passed those skills on. Several of the younger grandchildren remember that if you were in trouble you might just get dropped off at grandmas to get you back with the right attitude. She would make sure you left tired but full. Genelle was a devout Jehovah's Witness. Her faith brought her much comfort through difficult times and she had many spiritual brothers and sisters who loved her and friends who visited her frequently. She put her faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the resurrection and had the hope of living with perfect health in Paradise. That enabled her to leave this world peacefully in full expectation of her reward to come. She is survived by- Daughter- Esther (Will) Price of Powder Springs Ga- grandchildren Jeanette Wheeler and Abby (Tim) Haven- Great Grands Ryley, Jesse, Joel, Claire, Mykela and Kyle. Son- Walter Thompson of Myakka Florida. Grandchildren- Olivia Thompson, Matthew Thompson (Meleah) Michael Ketcham and Jennifer Crosby- Great grands Coby, Caymin, Mason, Chelsie, and Macy Daughter -Lista Lees (Tom) of Oklahoma City, OK- Grandchildren- Ginger Cranford (David) and Tommy Lees (Leticia) great grands- Robin and Taylor Daughter -Paula Maggio of Batesville, Arkansas. Grandchildren- Daniella Bergstrom (Christopher) and Danny Parish (Roxanne) Great grands-Hailey, Hunter, Mya, Christopher, Kaitlin and Emily. Son -Edward Chitty (Diem) of Parrish, Florida- Grandchildren- Melissa Green and John Chitty (Jodi) Great grands- Layne, Lillian, and Mason. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Genelle Chitty to WellStar Community Hospice, Tranquility at Cobb.