Geneva Benjamin Polk, was born Oct. 10, 1924, to the late Elsie Benjamin Harvin in Mayesville. She departed this life on May 22, 2017, at Sumter Health and Rehabilitation Center.

"Monkey," as she was affectionately called, received her education in the public schools of Sumter County. At an early age, she accepted Christ and was a member of Goodwill Presbyterian Church.

As a young adult she moved to Rochester, New York, where she spent most of her adult life.

While in New York, she was a faithful and dedicated member of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Willie Frank Cotton. She was a faithful member of the senior choir and the senior missionary.

She was employed by Neat Laundry (later known as Consolidated Laundry) for more than 30 years from which she retired. She was married to the late James Polk.

Monkey relocated back to Mayesville and assisted with taking care of her niece, Lorene "Katie" Kennedy until her passing. After returning home, she joined the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Mayesville. Monkey was a blessing to many of her relatives because she had a loving heart and a giving spirit. There was nothing that she had that she would not share with her family. Many of us will cherish fond memories as we remember her generosity, love and sacrifices that she made for us.

Monkey leaves to cherish her precious memories: four sons, Roy Lee Benjamin of the home, Thomas Benjamin, Robert Benjamin and James Polk Jr., all of Rochester, New York; a granddaughter raised in her home, Carolyn Price Johnson of Conway, South Carolina; a nephew raised in her home, Sammie Lee Brown of Arizona; one sister, Mary Prince Benjamin of Darlington, South Carolina; two brothers, Eddie Lee Harvin of Mayesville, and Ray Harvin of Sumter; 10 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 28 great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Susan Harvin; and a host of nieces and grandnieces, nephews and grandnephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter; Elsie Benjamin; a granddaughter, Judy Benjamin; three brothers, Spencer Prince, James Prince and Junious Harvin; and three sisters, Lou Ida Mitchell, Fannie Lou Davis and Willie Mae Washington.

Public viewing will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday at Job's Mortuary.

The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Tuesday for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Salem Chapel and Heritage Center, 101 South Salem Ave., with Pastor Eugene Myers Jr., officiating; Pastor Linda Speed, eulogist.

Interment in the Goodwill Presbyterian Church Cemetery.