Gail Rutland Geno, 81, passed from this earthly realm on January 26, 2024 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS.  Mrs. Geno was born to H.B. "Red" Rutland and Annis Stovall Rutland at Tupelo Hospital, now North Mississippi Medical Center on May 26, 1942.  Mrs. Geno was a 1960 graduate of Tupelo High School where she was a stand-out athlete, excelling in basketball.  She continued her education at Itawamba Junior College, now Itawamba Community College where she continued her passion for writing and received several state-wide awards for short stories that she authored. Her themes focused primarily on friends and family.  Her most noted comprehensive work is "A History of Lawhon School."
Mrs. Geno married the love of her life, Marlon Travis Geno, on May 30, 1960.  Together they created a beautiful life and were blessed with two sons, Wayne and Gary.  Mrs. Geno was known for her faith and love of the Lord.  She was baptized into the Lord's Church in 1961 and remained a faithful member of East Main Church of Christ for 63 years.  Her main objective was for family and friends to know her Lord and Savior.  She was also known as a culinary genius,  being able to replicate all genres of food.  She was most noted for the numerous requests for "Mama Geno's Chocolate Pies."
Mama believed in God The Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. She also knew He had a son named Jesus, who actually walked around down here on this earth, probably wearing some sort of leather sandals; certainly not nikes or birkenstocks. This Jesus was and is Mama's Lord and Savior. She knew He used words like "sin" that actually meant something; especially since God invented the concept. She believed in a glorious "Heaven" that no human can comprehend. She also knew the reality of a "burning hell"; also a place we can't begin to fathom. Fortunately, she also KNEW about redemption and forgiveness for those who repent and turn away from whatever "sins" are polluting and destroying them.
Mama was also a very "inclusive" person who KNEW we all have ONE very important thing in common; whether someone was black/ white, gay/ straight, Republican/ Democrat, rich/ poor, believer/ unbeliever,or atheist/ agnostic. Yes, regardless of how one "identifies"; mama KNEW that EVERY knee WILL bow and EVERY tongue WILL confess that "Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lord's." -God "So let us not talk falsely now. The hour is getting late. -Jimi Hendrix
Mama fought the good fight, she has finished her race. She kept the faith. Eternal life awaits her in heaven; and to all those who love and hope in the Lord and anxiously await his return.
Mrs. Geno is survived by her husband, Marlon Travis Geno of Tupelo, MS; her two sons, Wayne Geno and Gary Geno, both of Tupelo, MS; four grandchildren, Cory Geno(Casey), Noel, Genevieve, and Ainsley Geno; three great-grandchildren, Lola, Penny Lane, and J.C. Geno; her younger brother, Ricky Rutland (Carol) of Dorsey, MS as well as her beloved Beethovan, her 120 pound Akita dog.
Mrs. Geno was preceded in death by her parents and her older brother, William S. Rutland.
Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm Thursday, February 1, 2024, at East Main Church of Christ, 1606 East Main Street, Tupelo, MS with Minister Barry Kennedy officiating.  Visitation will be from 11:00 am until service time at the church.  Private family burial will follow at Priceville Cemetery.  Lee Memorial Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Geno family.
Serving as pallbearers will be Romie Dilworth, Larry Long, Chad Willis, Matthew Rutland, Joseph Rutland, and Kent Nichols.
In lieu flowers, please make donations to the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society, 2795 Cliff Gookin Blvd, Tupelo, MS 38801.