Birth Date: 12/14/1925
Deceased Date: 12/29/2022
Mrs. Genevieve Medlin Berge Woodall had her last earthly breath late Thursday afternoon December 29th and is now “home” breathing her Savior’s Heavenly air.
Her name is a long one for quite a few reasons and her 97-year longevity gave her lots of time for a varied life. “Genny” was born in Smithfield in 1925. Raised by parents Ira and Love Medlin, she and beloved brother Tommy grew up there. At the age of eight mom joined the Centenary choir and began her singing career. After high school, she left Smithfield to attend and graduate from the Julliard School in New York City and had many new experiences such as singing in the Riverside Cathedral choir and dating nearby West Point cadets — the start of a far-flung life.
She met and married cadet Kent Berge with whom she traveled the world all the while rearing a growing family. She resided in post-war Japan (getting there by herself on an old steamer across the Pacific) where her husband was an Army Air Corps pilot and they had their first child. After returning stateside to assignments in Indiana (2nd child born) and New York (3rd and 4th kids), it was on to Brussels, Belgium for a few years. Yet another military assignment brought them to Colorado (5th child) where Genevieve again revved-up her operatic skills singing in the Colorado Springs Light Opera. It was then on to the Atlantic Coast of central Florida where as church choir director, she hit a high note one Sunday service and cracked, for all to hear, an enormous window pane (but alas, no 6th child).
After many household moves, kids, and adventures, Genevieve and Kent went their separate ways with Genevieve returning to her home in Smithfield. As time went on, she and an old grade school friend by the name of “Woody” Woodall married and lived happily for many years in both Smithfield and Raleigh until Woody passed away. Genevieve was musically active with the Centenary United Methodist Church in Smithfield and the Johnston County Choral Society with her voice and musical talents a gift to all. She was blessed throughout life, took nothing for granted, and was stalwart in practicing her Christian faith.
She is survived by her five children, three in-law spouses, and six grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. She also has three surviving nephews and eight nieces. She was pre-deceased by her parents Ira Wade Medlin and Love Matilda Eastwood Medlin and her brother Tommy Eastwood Medlin.
Genevieve M. Woodall had a life well-lived. Her staunch beliefs in God and His ways made her someone to be admired and adored and, by some, feared. As one of her kids speaking for the five of us: we loved, cherished, and adored her. Mom wasn’t in a rush for her place in Heaven, though she knew it would be her last, final, and most welcome perfect “assignment.”
R. I. P. Mrs. Genevieve M. Woodall, Mom … we will miss you dearly.
Family Members are named below:
Children: Karen Berge Brown, husband Michael, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
Pamela Berge Gale and husband John, Golden, Colorado
Thomas Kent Berge, Arlington, Virginia
David Medlin Berge and wife Jenny, Shalimar, Florida
Heidi Ann Berge, Marco Island, Florida
Step-Children: Steve Woodall, wife Joette, Raleigh, North Carolina
Susan Woodall, Raleigh, North Carolina
Grand Children: Alyssa Gale Freund, Lauren Gale, Miranda Gale, Raleigh Lauren Tubb, Brady, Parker Tubb, Brandon Eastwood Tubb
Great Grand Children: Blane Tyler Diego, Elliana Gale Freund, Griffin Kent Freund,
Zephyr Thor Priest, Jackson Alexander Tavira, Mason Bradley Tubb
Great Great Grand Children: Eli Gavin, Astrid Freja Diego
Please consider these Memorial Donations in lieu of flowers:
– Community and Senior Services of Johnston County, 1363 W. Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577 (for Meals on Wheels) (919)934-6066
– Centenary United Methodist Church,140 E Market St, Smithfield, NC 27577 · (919) 934-2333
