Page 28 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2021- Online Magazine

Percy and Geneva settled into
married life in Lubbock. The
couple had Sandra first, then Gary,
and later, welcomed an adopted
daughter, Joan, into their family.
After Percy was discharged from
the military, he went to work for
the City of Lubbock Engineering
Department, which oversaw the
city streets and many other projects.
Along the way, Percy attended Texas Geneva and daughter Joan Geneva with daughter Sandra and son Gary
Tech and was eventually promoted patrons as former Congressman Boren Personnel continued to
to Assistant City Engineer before George Mahon came to give flourish, and Geneva’s son, Gary,
retiring from the City of Lubbock. dictation to Geneva and have her joined her in running the business
type up documents for him, while upon his graduation from Texas
Geneva put her office skills to work, he held her children on his lap. Tech. Along the way, the name of
most notably, as secretary for the the business changed to “G. Boren
Commander of Reese Air Force In 1961, she saw an ad that “Kelly Personnel.” Gary always makes sure
Base, Colonel Hess. It was one of Girl” was coming to Lubbock. Kelly people know the “G” stands for
the best-paying civilian jobs on the Girl was a national organization Geneva.
base, and Colonel Hess was a great that provided temporary secretarial
boss. But one day, Geneva found services to businesses. Geneva G. Boren Personnel has become
herself wondering if there were contacted their headquarters in well-known for its huge, temporary
better ways to use her talent. She Detroit, Michigan. The company job business, providing workers for
requested a three-month leave, and flew her to Detroit and then hired many large venues, such as Texas
the decision set her life on a new and trained her to open a Kelly Girl Tech games and other events, and
course. franchise in Lubbock. for many other occasions in the Hub
City. It is safe to say that Geneva
In a rare move for a woman in The franchise was successful for Boren has been one of the most
1960, Geneva borrowed $40 from a number of years, but Geneva successful businesswomen in West
a businessman friend to start her eventually realized that she no Texas.
own secretarial business. He offered longer needed the Kelly Girl
her the front part of his insurance brand, and Boren Personnel was What is the secret to Geneva Boren’s
office in the Lubbock National Bank born. By that time, Geneva had success in life and in business?
building. The business caught on, been appointed to the state board Without hesitation, she says,
and clients lined up. Later, she in Austin that regulates how “God!” “I have built my business on
moved out of the building and into employment agencies are run across Philippians 4:4-6: ‘Always be full of joy
her garage, where such notable the state. in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice! Let

Our family is so grateful for the tremendous legacy
of Percy and Geneva Boren.

With love from their children: Sandra (Boren) & Mike Sheils,
Gary & Lisa Boren, Joan Boren,
grandchildren: Michael & Ashley Sheils, Amanda (Sheils)
& Shannon Gregg, Krista (Boren) & Cody Singleton, Kari
(Boren) & William Davis, Katy Boren, Christopher Boren,
and great-grandchildren: Preston Sheils, Parker Sheils,
Harrison Gregg, Elia Davis, Hannah Davis, Sarah Grace
Davis, Saylor Singleton, Silas Singleton, Sky Boren

28 Lubbock Senior Link