Genevieve Thomas

Genevieve Wehba Thomas, age 93, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, peacefully entered eternal rest surrounded by the love of her family and friends on July 17, 2026. Born on August 19, 1932, in Archer City, Texas, she was the eldest child of Fred and Pauline Wehba. As the oldest of six children, Genevieve helped shape a close-knit family rooted in faith, hospitality, hard work, and a deep pride in their Lebanese heritage—values she would pass on to generations that followed.

Genevieve was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rodney Thomas, whom she married on July 1, 1955. Their marriage was built on love, devotion, and a commitment to family until Rodney's passing in 1989. Later in life, Genevieve married Dr. Neil Woodward Jr. They shared many years together until his passing in 2017. She valued the companionship and experiences they shared during that chapter of her life. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, John Wehba and Fred Wehba, and her son-in-law, Robert Floyd.

She is survived by her daughters, Cecilia Lynn Floyd and Renee Michelle Bauer and her husband, Steve Bauer, all of Oklahoma City. She leaves behind a cherished legacy through her grandchildren, Angela Davis, Bryan Bauer, and Karen Floyd; her great-grandchildren, Sutton, Shepherd and Sullivan Davis, Piper Chamberlain and Asa Brittan; her sisters, Shirley Craven, Dorothy Laird, and Ellie Cates; sister-in-law, Susan Wehba, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews whose lives were enriched by her love, guidance, and generous spirit.

A true pioneer in her profession, Genevieve was the first woman in Oklahoma to become a Certified Executive Chef. Her passion for culinary excellence led her to also earn certifications as a Certified Pastry Chef and Certified Culinary Educator. She was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs in 1993 and was awarded Chef of the Year by the Culinary Arts of Oklahoma several times. She was also recognized for her outstanding achievements through several other organizations. Throughout her distinguished career, she inspired countless students and culinary professionals through her work, leadership, and commitment to excellence.

Genevieve's culinary career reflected both innovation and service. During her years at Baptist Integris Hospital, she elevated hospital dining to a level that was unprecedented for the time, believing that nourishment should engage both body and spirit. She also served at Mercy Hospital before completing her remarkable career at Casady School, where she worked for more than twenty years. At Casady, she did far more than prepare meals. She created family-style dining experiences that brought students together, led catering for countless school and community events, and incorporated food into educational experiences through multicultural celebrations and special programs that expanded students' understanding of the world. Through every position she held, Genevieve demonstrated that food could educate, inspire, comfort, and build community.

A longtime member of the Oklahoma Chefs Association, she faithfully served as its Apprenticeship and Certification director for many years and was widely respected as a mentor, teacher, and advocate for the culinary profession. She generously shared her knowledge with aspiring chefs and was known throughout Oklahoma's culinary community for her expertise, encouragement, and dedication.

Her commitment to service extended far beyond her career. A devoted member of St. Elijah Christian Orthodox Church, Genevieve lived her faith through action. She volunteered for numerous charitable causes, including the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner, OK Kids Korral, Salvation Army programs, and the preparation of meals for search-and-rescue workers following the Oklahoma City bombing. She also served for many years as a respected food judge at the Oklahoma State Fair. Wherever there was a need, Genevieve found a way to help.

To those who knew her best, however, Genevieve's greatest accomplishment was her family. She was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend whose home was always open and whose table always had room for one more. She taught her family the importance of faith, kindness, generosity, and hospitality. Proud of her Lebanese heritage, she lovingly shared family traditions, recipes, and customs, ensuring that future generations understood where they came from and the importance of staying connected to one another.

She fostered in her family a lifelong appreciation for food, wine, conversation, and the simple joy of gathering around a table together. To Genevieve, every meal was an opportunity to create memories, strengthen relationships, and express love.

Among her greatest joys were the relationships she shared with her grandchildren. Angela and Bryan held a particularly special place in her daily life, and the bond they shared was built on years of love, laughter, encouragement, and friendship. Through family gatherings, celebrations, and ordinary moments spent together, they became not only beloved grandchildren but cherished companions.

Genevieve never met a stranger. Her warmth and genuine interest in others drew friends and strangers alike to her wherever she went. Family members often laugh about the time she spent an hour talking to a wrong number on the telephone, turning a simple mistake into a meaningful conversation. It perfectly captured her spirit. She had an extraordinary gift for making people feel seen, heard, and welcomed.

Genevieve believed that every person deserved dignity, respect, and kindness. She welcomed people from all walks of life and was genuinely interested in their stories and experiences. Differences in ethnicity, faith, political beliefs, background, or life circumstances never stood in the way of her compassion. She had a rare ability to make others feel accepted and valued exactly as they were, often finding common ground where others saw differences. Her open heart and generous spirit created lasting connections with people from every corner of her community. Whether family, friend, neighbor, student, or stranger, Genevieve had a way of making people feel loved.

She loved deeply, lived generously, and gave freely of herself. Her legacy lives on in every family meal shared, every act of hospitality extended to others, every lesson taught in a kitchen, and every life touched by her kindness and compassion.

Though she will be profoundly missed, those who loved her find comfort in knowing that her influence endures through the family she cherished, the students she inspired, the community she served, and the countless people whose lives were better because they knew her.

May her memory be eternal.