Mary Virginia "Gena" Wingate's Obituary
Mary Virginia “Gena” Wingate, 76, entered peacefully into rest on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 in DeRidder, Louisiana. Mary, the daughter of Obie Sears and Mary Thelma (Davis) Wingate was born on February 8, 1944, in Marlow, Louisiana.
Visitation will begin Friday, August 14, 2020, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, in Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder, LA. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 15, 2020, Visitation will start at 8:00 AM and service will begin at 10:00 AM, in Labby Memorial Funeral Home chapel in DeRidder, LA with Rev. George Lee Glass of Grace Church officiating. Interment will follow at Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, LA.
Virginia, loving known as “Gena”, graduated from Rosepine High School. She held titles of Miss Rosepine of Rosepine High School and West Louisiana Forestry Festival Queen of Vernon Parish. Virginia continued her education; she was certified in Healthcare, Beautician Instructor and as a Florist. She was a Civil Service employee at the Kisatchie Theater on Fort Polk. Managed her shops as a Beautician and Florist over the years. Her latest passion was home healthcare, sitting with the elderly and was very involved with their care. She loved and dedicated all her spare time to her grandchildren and caring for her pets. Late in life, she loved trips to town with her daughter, sister, visiting friends, and family.
Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Mikel and Nita Willis of DeRidder, LA, Anthony “Tony” and Bridgette Willis of DeRidder, LA; daughter Jennifer C. Willis and Daniel Rogers of DeRidder, LA; brother, Landry “Reid” Wingate of Marlow, LA; sister, Diana W. Hickman of Hemphill, TX; five grandchildren, Landry Willis, Clinton Willis, Kalyn Willis, Lane Willis, Virginia “Lucy” Rogers; and one great grandchild, Aden Willis.
Preceded in death by her mother, Thelma Wingate and father, Obie Wingate.
Those honored to serve as pallbearer are Tony Willis, Mikel Willis, Lane Willis, Landry Willis, Clinton Willis, and Reid Wingate.
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