Geneva P. Lile

Geneva Pearl Gholston Lile was born on August 12, 1933 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was one of two children born to Patrick Gholston and Cora Kincage Gholston Daney. Upon her divorce, Cora packed up Geneva along with her sister Dorothy Gholston and moved to Detroit. When Cora met and married, her second husband, Issac Daney Sr., Geneva was given a little brother named Issac, Jr. and little sister named Sarah.
Geneva was educated in the Detroit Public Schools and graduated from Northeastern High School. She studied cosmetology at Ruby’s School of Beauty in Detroit and obtained her cosmetology license from the State of Michigan.

While on a blind date, Geneva met Donald Lile in her mother’s kitchen on Illinois Street between Saint Aubin and Riopelle. They would marry on February 16, 1954. From this union they were blessed with four children, Ahamed Dean Lile, Koran Karl Lile, Kreed Ali Lile and Marcie Generra Lile. Donald and Geneva’s love story has endured for more than 66 years.

Geneva was affectionately known as “Mema.” As she would explain it; a name given to her by her eldest and precocious toddler, Ahamed, while he was trying to mouth the words: “Momma” and “Geneva” in unison.

She was a person of faith, having attended various church denominations throughout her life. Her spiritual journey began however, with the Muslim teachings of Islam by her maternal grandfather. Those religious educational experiences allowed her to remain serene during times of trials and tribulations.

Mema and Donald’s house on Murray Hill street was the “Kool-Aid” house. After a school day or during summer months; neighborhood kids could be found in their backyard playing basketball, swimming in the above ground swimming pool or watching television. Whether it was her participation in the Boy Scouts and being a Den mother for Cub Scouts, member of the PTA, or just lending an ear and a shoulder to cry on – she gave selflessly not only to her children, but to other children as well. She could cure any cold or fix any boo-boo, scrape or cut. As long as her medicine cabinet had the following items: Band-Aids, Witch Hazel, Hydrogen Peroxide, Iodine, Cod Liver Oil, Caster Oil, Father’s John Cold Syrup and Vick’s Vapo Rub.

She would be the first to tell you that she thoroughly enjoyed cooking; especially baking cakes, cobblers, pies and cookies. Her desserts were simply amazing.

She loved watching old movies via Bill Kennedy on Channel 50 or the Turner Classic Movies station; listening to Barbara Streisand, Patti Labelle, Elton John, Johnny Mathis, the Whispers, or the Commodores records; laughing hysterically at the antics of Johnny Carson, Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore or her personal favorite – Carol Burnett. Her laugh was infectious and hearty. She also enjoyed reading romance or crime novels by Danielle Steele, Sidney Sheldon and John Grisham.

And let’s not forget her zest for traveling. Along with her husband and children, Geneva traveled to various cities around the world exploring new cultures and going on exciting adventures.

After an extended illness, God called Mema home to His house on February 6, 2020.

Mema was preceded in death by her father, Patrick Gholston; step-father, Issac Daney, Sr.; mother, Cora Kincage Gholston Daney; sister, Dorothy Gholston and brother, Issac Daney, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Donald; three sons, Ahamed, Koran and Kreed; one daughter, Marcie; one sister: Sarah D. Lile; two grandsons, Arline Lile and Declan Lile: five granddaughters, Tara Lile, Anissa Jones, Eva Lile, Mia Lile and Lori Ann Lile; as well as many nieces, nephews, a host of other relatives and many, many friends.