Surrounded by family in her home, Gena Wanell Cox Wingate peacefully went to her heavenly home with Jesus on November 27, 2024. She was born to Raby and Mettie Cox on December 16, 1934. She was a loving wife for 66 years and a mother of three boys. She was blessed to have six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, whom she cherished greatly.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, son Cody and sister Evelyn Joyce.

Left to carry on her memories are two sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry M. Wingate Jr. "Macky" & Phyllis Wingate, Daniel & Jamey Wingate and daughter-in-law Karen Wingate. Grandchildren Sarah & Jeremy Trimble, Renea & Jake Dowling, Israel Wingate, Mary Ellen, Laura & Zack Wingate. Great-Grandchildren Hannah, Levi, Lane, Clay, Jace & Isaac. Sister, Rita Lane Parks and nephews Sam & Kim Parks and Tim Parks also survive.

In 1958, Nell became the wife of Jerry Wingate. God blessed her with boys but that didn't stop her from keeping everything clean and tidy. She wasn't afraid to step in and get her hands dirty on the farm and spent many hours helping put up hay and working with cattle. "Chowrustler" was her CB handle and she would listen for the boys radio message that they were coming home to eat. No one ever left hungry from her house.

Nell often told the story of her humble beginnings, and had vivid memories of working in the garden and tending to her beautiful flowers. She meticulously balanced her faith, family and work lives, without fail.

After graduating college, Nell began her teaching career. She was an educator in the classroom until retirement in 1991. After retirement she continued her passion by helping with Adult Literacy classes at the library as well as substituting at the local Elementary school and even helped her grandchildren with homework.

Nell was a lifelong member of Brush Creek Baptist Church and faithfully attended services up until the week before her passing. She held many titles within the church at different times, she directed Vacation Bible School for 40 years, helped with the Christmas programs and was also the director of WMU. She was also a member of the Grayson Gideons Auxiliary, where she held many roles.

Keeping God first in her life was very important to her. She would always pray "Our Precious Heavenly Father" and would face challenges with a smile because she knew "God would take care of it." She almost never complained about circumstances, and she was dedicated to selfless service and putting others first.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, December 2, 2024 at 3:00 pm at Brush Creek Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Brush Creek Baptist Church.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice, especially her nurse Holly Adams, Blue Ridge Home Health and caregivers Debbie, Vicky, Jenny, Melissa & Betty.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Grayson Gideon Camp P.O. Box 922, Independence, VA 24348.

The family requests food to be brought to the church for a meal after the service.