Geneva (Jennie) R. Parker Thurmond died on Friday, March 20, at her home on Aidylberg Way in Oak Bluffs. She was 82.

Jennie was the wife of William (Bill) David Thurmond who predeceased her in January of 1991 and whom she married in September 1951.

She was born on Oct. 19, 1932 to Clifton and Modean (Garrison) Parker in Hayesville, N.C., and graduated from Hayesville High School in 1951.

Early in her career she was a self-employed bookkeeper for small businesses. Later she and her husband Bill owned and operated the Hembree House restaurant in Hayesville.

Jennie moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 2007. She enjoyed quilting and needlework and especially cherished her time with her great-grandchildren and family who feel the great loss of their beloved Nannie.

She is survived by her daughters, Marsha Prescott of Oak Bluffs, and Lynn Roach of Greenville, S.C., and also by nine grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Jennie was predeceased by her son, David Thurmond of Hayesville, N.C.

A memorial service will be held on the Vineyard at a later date to be announced and her cremains buried in Clay County, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, 20 Burlington Mall Road, Suite 261, Burlington, MA 01803 or at mdsc.org (memorial fund for Jennie Thurmond) in honor of her great-granddaughter, Grace Carroll.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for information and guest book.