Geneva Janett Barks

Geneva J. ""Gigi"" Barks, 66, of Poplar Bluff, formerly of St. Louis, died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007 at The Cedargate Skilled Nursing Facility, in Poplar Bluff after a long battle with cancer.

Ms. Barks was born Aug. 31, 1940, in St. Louis. She began working for Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., in St. Louis upon graduating from high school. She worked there for 38 years, retiring in 1996 as a Branch Administrator for MetLife, in Lake St. Louis. She was owner of ""Gigi's Crafts"" and enjoyed working with flowers and selling her crafts at Craft Shows and at rented booths in several Craft Stores. Ms. Barks moved to Poplar Bluff, in 2003.

While in St. Louis, she was very active in the youth ministries of First Free Will Baptist Church, in Berkeley. She was a member of Heritage free Will Baptist Church, in Poplar Bluff.

Survivors include her mother, Gusta (Atnip) Barks; and her sister, Glenda Fulcher, both of Poplar Bluff; one niece, Susan Burke and family, of Savannah, Ga.; four nephews, Bill Fulcher and family, of Hartford, Ill., Tim Fulcher and family, of Hubert, NC, John Fulcher and daughter, of Suffolk, Va. and Michael Fulcher and family of Hookerton, NC; and many aunts, uncles and cousins and a host of friends.

Her father, Lester Barks, preceded Ms. Barks in death.

Visitation will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. in the chapel with the Rev. Donald Richmann officiating. Burial will be at Shiloh Cemetery, in Shook.

Memorials may be given to Heritage Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund, 915 North 12th St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901