Genie Whitesell
Eugenia “Genie” Baird Whitesell, age 88, of South Fulton passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at her residence in South Fulton. Born March 11, 1936, in Bowling Green, Ky., her parents were the late Henry H. Baird and Nell Bate Baird.
Music was instrumental in Genie’s life. She took up the violin as a child and spent summers at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan, where she first studied under Ottokar “Papa” Cadek. Genie continued under Cadek’s tutelage at the University of Alabama; but after Cadek’s death between her junior and senior years, she finished her music degree at the University of Kentucky.
While at UK, she met her future husband, Hunter, when she served as a juror in his law school’s moot court. They were married on Aug. 16, 1957, in Bowling Green. After a time in Frankfort, Ky., Genie and Hunter relocated to Fulton, where they raised their children. Genie played for many years in the Jackson and the Paducah Symphony Orchestras.
She was a member of Fulton First United Methodist Church. Genie served as a Cub Scout den mother and Girl Scout leader, and volunteered with her college sorority and the Carr Elementary literacy program. She was a member of the Jacob Flournoy Chapter of the DAR. Additionally, she traveled extensively.
She is survived by her children, Hunter B. (Juliana Jill) Whitesell II of the Beelerton community, John Bell (Jacqueline) Whitesell of Union City and Eugenie Baird Whitesell of Nashville. She leaves four grandchildren: Benjamin Hunter (Nicole) Whitesell of Fulton, Katherine Elizabeth (Arthur) Boston of Murray, Ky., and Jack Hunter and Jesse Walker Whitesell of Union City. There are nine great-grandchildren: Lillian, Benjamin II, Amelia, Peter and Mary Whitesell, all of Fulton, and Henry, George, Annabel and Tom Boston, all of Murray.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Hunter Byrd Whitesell; and a brother, Thomas H. Baird, MD.
The family is eternally grateful for the loving care and concern shown to their mother by her caregivers. Graveside services for Mrs. Whitesell were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Palestine Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 Carr St., Fulton, KY 42041.
Published in The Messenger on 7.3.24