She was born in the coal-mining town of Sopris, Colorado on December 5, 1923 to Carlos Roybal and Eufemia Lovato Roybal.
Genevieve attended school in Sopris, Colorado at St. Thomas. She married Lucas Joe Barela in 1939, residing in Jerryville (Sopris) Colorado until 1960 when the mines closed. The family relocated to Denver, Colorado. They raised eight children.
Genevieve was preceded in death by her brothers: Benny, Manuel, Charlie, and Ernest Roybal and sister Josephine (Martinez) Blake as well as her husband Lucas in 1993, one infant son, Donald, and three grandsons: Duane Barela, Lucas Wiggs and great grandson Raymond Garcia.
She is survived by 2 brothers, Oney and Leroy Martinez; 4 sons: Raymond Barela, Charles (Beverly) Barela, Jerry Barela, Dennis Barela and 4 daughters, Marcella (Paul) Wiggs, Shelby (Rick) Stookey, Virginia (Frank) Sanchez, and Valerie Barela; 17 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and 22 great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Viewing will be Wednesday, July 5, 5-7 at Olinger, Crown Hill Cemetery.
Service to celebrate Genevieve’s life will be on Thursday, July 6 at 11 am at Redeemer Temple Church, 3701 W 64th Ave, Arvada.
Reception at Redeemer Temple at 12:30pm with burial following at 2:30pm at Crown Hill Cemetery.
“Her children rise up and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:28
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CrownHillFuneral.com for the Barela family.
