Genevieve Gruver Stickley, 99, of Reliance, VA, died on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at the Warren Memorial Hospital in Front Royal, VA 22630.

Mrs. Stickley was born November 26, 1916, daughter of Harry E. Gruver and Mary Virginia (Mamye) Cooley Gruver of Reliance. Genevieve graduated from Middletown High School and Winchester Business College. She worked in Winchester as a bookkeeper for the Sanitary Dairy owned by Shingleton. In 1939, she married William R. Stickley of Reliance and they built a home in Reliance where they lived for 57 years until his death in 1996. After breaking her hip in 2009, Mrs. Stickley moved to an assisted living apartment at The Southerlands Retirement Community in Front Royal, VA. The Southerlands is now owned by Commonwealth Assisted Living, and the family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff for the loving care she received while a resident there.

Mrs. Stickley was a lifelong member of Reliance United Methodist Church where she served in many capacities. Genevieve was a member of the United Methodist Women. She was a Sunday school teacher, secretary to the board of trustees, Christmas program director, and most recently she was the chairman of the board of trustees as well as chairman of the Reliance Cemetery board of trustees. Genevieve was active in the Home Demonstration Clubs of Warren County and she was a 4-H leader who took groups of young people to compete in district and state competitions as well as a VPI short course training. She was a substitute teacher for Reliance Elementary School.

After several years as a homemaker, Mrs. Stickley went back to work as the office manager for her uncle, J.S. Cooley. After Mr. Cooley’s death in 1978, she ran the business for several years until selling it to Quarles Petroleum in 1983, when she retired. Following retirement she and her husband spent many enjoyable hours traveling in their airstream trailer and camping with friends from the camping clubs to which they belonged. They also enjoyed gardening, their grandchildren and wintering in Eustis, Florida.

Mrs. Stickley is survived by daughter, Beverly Stickley Morrison and husband, Eddie of Front Royal, VA; granddaughter, Donna Sue Rettberg and husband, Fred of Bentonville, VA; grandson, William Alton (Al) Atwood and wife Kim of Happy Creek, VA; great-grandchildren, Rachel, Ryan, and Amanda Rettberg, Ashley, Alex, and Aadon Atwood. She is predeceased by her husband, William R. Stickley; her granddaughter, Angela Faye Atwood; and her sister Clara Belle Clem.

Funeral services will be conducted by the Reverend Linda Lowe at the Reliance United Methodist Church on Friday, July 15, at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends one hour before the service. Interment will follow the funeral at the Reliance Cemetery immediately proceeded by a reception in the fellowship hall of the Reliance United Methodist Church.

Pallbearers will be Ray Patterson, Troy Oakes, Russell Stickley, Wesley Hammack, Jamie Judy, and Robert Gruver.

Honorary pallbearers will be trustees of the RUMC and the United Methodist Men.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Reliance United Methodist Church, C/O Joyce Broy, 565 North River Road, Middletown, VA 22649.