Genevieve Roby Obituary

Genevieve Marilyn Basham Roby, 90, of Owensboro, passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Chautauqua Health and Rehabilitation. She was born July 2, 1934, in Louisville to the late Paul and Helen Baize Basham. Genevieve was involved with several businesses over the years including the Flair Beauty Shop and worked with her husband at Roby Amusements, which they owned. Genevieve loved spending time with her family and many friends. She enjoyed feeding redbirds and raising flowers and loved her pet Sheltie, Beauty. Genevieve was runner-up one year in the Ms. Kentucky pageant in her teenage years.

  She also enjoyed traveling, having flown on the Concorde with her husband and family and her many friendships and had a beautiful smile with interesting conversations. Having grown up in Louisville, she had met and knew celebrities such as Victor Mature and Tom Yewell who would bring his mother, Martine Tompkins (an Owensboro native) into her beauty shop. 

 Her lifestyle while growing up in Louisville was like a Norman Rockwell painting coming to life. The spirit of Mr. Roby’s was predicated on taking care of Genevieve till the end after which her soul, once leaving the body, shall be with the Lord and all those who had gone before her. Genevieve also had an uncle, Gus, who had worked at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James C. Roby on March 9, 2010, a sister, Vera Wells, and a brother, Veldon Baize.

 Surviving are a son, Greg Roby (Shannon DeHart) of Owensboro; three grandchildren, Gregson Carl Roby of Memphis, Tennessee, Celeste Corinne Whelan of Idaho, and Ross Brandon Roby of Billings, Montana; three great grandchildren; a sister, Jane Smith of Bowling Green; nieces, Debbie Wells, Dana Buttram, and Denise Garrison; and three special friends, Christy Payne Steele, Kimberly Collignon Preston, and Lisa Greathouse.

 Funeral services for Genevieve will be 2 PM Monday, October 14, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will be in Owensboro Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 2 PM until 5 PM Sunday and from Noon until the time of the service Monday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.

 Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Owensboro-Daviess County, P. O. Box 1075, Owensboro, KY 42302. 

Messages and condolences to the family can be shared at www.glenncares.com.