Jan. 23, 1936 – Oct. 8, 2013

NATCHEZ—Memorial service for the Rev. Mena Geneva Deaver, 77, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, peacefully at her residence, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Parkview Church of God.

Memorial service is under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mrs. Deaver was born Jan. 23, 1936, in Rome, Ga., the daughter of Henry D. Collum and Ruth Thompson.

She was a retired minister who traveled the country and world, but spent her final years in Natchez serving Ron Roper Ministries and Believer’s World Ministries with her son, the Rev. Ron Roper. Mena lived to show God’s love to all she met and to show people their value in God’s eyes. Whether with a thoughtful gift in hand or a delightfully delivered hug or encouraging words with a twinkle in her eyes, God’s light was shown through her.

She ran her race and finished her course well, and the world is richer from her life. She will be sorely missed, but warmly remembered.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph W. Deaver, captain in the Marine Corp; and two brothers, Henry Collum and Jerry Collum.

Survivors include one son, the Rev. Ron Roper and wife, Lilly; two grandchildren, Veronica Roper and Joseph Roper; her dearest friend, Toni Atos and daughter, Kelli Atos Fowler of Oceanside, CA; and her church family.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lairdfh.com.