Lonnie "Gene" Vining

Lonnie Gene Vining Martin Sessums (Genie) - Salem, OR
In the early morning hours on Friday, October 9, Lonnie Gene Sessums passed away
peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. Lonnie (Genie) was born on June 21, 1927 in Pioneer,
LA. She became a Baptized child of God at Temple Baptist Church in June of 1944. Genie lived
on her family farm in Louisiana for most of her childhood. At the young age of 18, Genie bought
a bus ticket to Albuquerque, NM to fulfill her dream of journalism.
Genie met Donald A. Martin while working at his family’s Texaco station, and they married on
February 11, 1946. They were blessed with six children: Delonna, Kim, Renette, Glenda,
Walter, and Christina. Don & Genie spent most of their 25-year marriage building a business
with Texaco in Mountainer, NM. In 1967, they decided to move to Oregon, where Don served as
a Pastor for three Methodist churches. After Don’s death in 1971, Genie attended Gallaudet
University, in Washington D.C. and continued her career in journalism. Following her passion,
she met and interviewed many politicians and celebrities.
In 1983, Genie married Francis Sessums in Washington, D.C. and welcomed his three children
Betty, Carol and Bill. After his retirement in 1984, they moved to Salem, Oregon to be closer to
family. After Francis’s death in 2005, she made the decision to sell their home and live with her
daughter Christina. In 2010, Genie moved to Emerald Point in Keizer, Oregon, where she lived
for the remainder of her life. She was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for many
years and remained in close contact with her church family when she could no longer attend
regularly. When she wasn’t visiting with family and friends at Emerald Point, Genie spent her
free time volunteering at the Simonka House for women and children.
In her 93 years of life, Genie was always active and full of energy. Whether she was learning to
be a masseuse or becoming fluent in American Sign Language, she did everything with passion
and determination. Deeply religious, Genie spent much of her life dedicated to sharing her love
for the Lord with everyone. You could often find Genie with a tambourine in her hand and a
praise song on her lips. Genie loved being surrounded by family and friends, and always made
those around her feel welcome. She always had a story to share and held a captive audience
wherever she went.
Her family has comfort in knowing that Genie is once again with her beloved husbands Don &
Francis; parents Walter & Lorena; seven siblings; daughter Delonna Leinenbach; son Kim
Martin; son-in-law Paul Paden; and two grandchildren. Genie will be greatly missed by her
children who survive her: Rennette Autrey, Walter Martin, Glenda (Gary) Fillible, Christina (Ben)
Mealue; 16 grandchildren; 29 great-grands; 2 great-great-grands;
her step-children Betty (Mylan) VanNewkirk, Carol Paden, Bill (Gail) Sessums; 3 grandchildren;
and many great-grandchildren.