Geneva (affectionately known as Jenny) was born on March 25, 1939 in Mariana, Arkansas to the late Fred Mathis and Ida Louise Durham-Mathis. Due to the separation of Jenny’s parents, her mother moved to Little Rock, Arkansas with Jenny, Theodore (Sonny), and her unborn child, Wilma. It was in Little Rock that Jenny attended Gibbs Elementary School, then Bush Middle School, and attended Paul Lawrence Dumbar High School.

In 1954, Jenny gave birth to her only son, Charles Edward Mathis who was the joy of her life. In 1957 the decision was made to relocate. Jenny’s mother came to Boston to set things up for the family and left Jenny in charge. As a young girl in Arkansas, Jenny looked after all the children, especially her brother Sonny who always started trouble where she would end up having to finish it. One thing was sure, Jenny did not let anyone touch her brother, no matter what he did. When her mother got settled, Jenny put all the siblings on a Greyhound bus and brought them all to Boston; Sonny, Wilma, Betty and her son Charles. After arriving to Boston, Jenny attended Marietta Scruggs Beauty School where she obtained her cosmetology degree and started working for Rena’s Beauty Parlor for thirty-five years.

Jenny wedded Edlin Silcott, Sr. in 1979 and they enjoyed a blissful, but most importantly, a prayerful marriage for 38 years. Jenny was one of the most genuine, loving, and caring person you could have ever known. Jenny's family was her priority who she loved to the highest degree. Jenny was also a published author (Many Years Ago In Arkansas), a gifted singer, and an Amazing chef and baker. To know her was to love her. Jenny was raised by a God-fearing mother who instilled in her the ways of Christian living. When Jenny received the Lord Jesus Christ and her savior, there was such a determination within her to do all that she could do to please the Lord. Jenny attended Friendship Apostolic Church, under the pastoral guidance of the late District Elder Thomas B. White. In 1998 her husband was led by the Lord to open a sanctuary, Jerusalem Apostolic Temple, for the saving of souls, where they both pastored for 7 years.

In 2006 Jenny and her husband became members of Emmanuel Temple Pentecostal under the late Suffragan Bishop Thomas J. Weeks (District Elder Kevin Weeks). There Jenny served as choir member, Sunday school superintendant, and additionally, she provided assistance to Bishop Weeks in many capacities on the local and district level. In the year 2000 Jenny received an appreciation award for her service, devotion, and support to the Northeast District Council until her health began to decline. However, Jenny continued to love the Lord with all her heart.

Jenny was preceded in death by her parents Fred Mathis and Ida Louise Durham-Mathis; brother, Fred Mathis; sisters, Wilma Mathis and Clara Miller; grandson, Shawn E. Booker.

Jenny eaves many cherished memories with her husband, Edlin Silcott, Sr. of Boston, MA; her son Charles Mathis (Florence) of Boston, MA; mother in law, Evang. Josephine (Monjo) Silcott of Boston, MA; stepchildren: Edlin Silcott, Jr. (Beverly) of Roslindale, MA; Brenda Malewscki (James) of Tacoma, Washington; Vivian Silcott-Tripp (Willie) of Clearwater, Florida; Thomas Silcott (Ellen) of Los Angeles, CA; and Lynnette Silcott of Boston, MA; one brother, Theodore W. Mathis (Susie) of Boston, MA; one sister, Betty Ingram of Boston, MA; sister-in-law, Bernice Mathis of Henning, TN; grandson, Antoine Davis also of Boston, MA; and a host of great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews, godchildren, and numerous friends. Jenny will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her! With Loving Memories The Family

A Viewing will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018 from 10:00 to 11:00am followed by Funeral Service at 11:00 O’clock at Emmanuel Temple Pentecostal Church 471 Warren Street, Dorchester, MA 02121

Interment: Oak Lawn Cemetery

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Riley-Antoine Funeral Home

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