Gena Cook Penley

Gena Penley, of Pineville, NC, passed away on September 23, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. Gena was born in Charlotte, NC on September 14, 1967 to Gene Cook and Marlene Cook. She was the youngest of 8 children. She was a graduate of South Mecklenburg High School. Gena was married to her high school sweetheart, Daryl Penley, on July 28, 1990.

She worked in the Grocery Industry at companies such as Winn Dixie, Lowe’s Foods, and finally Harris Teeter.  She also loved working at her daughter’s dance studio, Mint Hill Dance Center, as the office manager.

She grew up in Pineville and never left. She and her husband have lived on the same street their entire life, minus a year stint on a street over. She was a Pineville citizen through and through. She knew everyone and everything about her town.

Gena was an enthusiastic Duke fan, loved her Panthers, and sports were her happy place. She also was an avid reader who owned a library of novels with the occasional biography. She left behind a catalog of her current collection with a long list of books she wanted to buy next. She loved to travel to the mountains with her husband to enjoy the views and cool weather, not to mention the occasional bear. She also loved visiting the beach with her family for vacations. She sent a card or note to everyone she could for any occasion to make sure you felt as special as possible on your day. She had a green thumb that was unmatched. She loved her ferns, cacti, and so much more. She could find a sharks tooth or a four leaf clover faster than you could look down to search. Christmas was one of her favorite holidays where she decked the house with her collection of snowmen- and there were A LOT of snowmen. She enjoyed riding on the back of her husband’s motorcycle- they rode all over North and South Carolina. She had an obsession with Sun Drop and sweet tea that lessened in her later years, but was so notable, we had to mention. She was a force to be reckoned with that will be missed by all who know her. She always stood up for herself and others, was the most loyal person anyone could meet, and she always wanted to make anyone she met feel like family.

Gena is survived by her husband of 31 years, Daryl, her children Whitleigh and Taylor, and daughter in law, Candice, and her grandchildren, Ava Grace and Kylie Rae. Also, her siblings, Penny, Vickie, Dennis, Recia, Sharlene, Tracy, and Tommy.

Gena supported a plethora of organizations with frequent donations, but if we have to choose, memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the ASPCA or Special Olympics

Gena’s Celebration of Life will be Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 12:00pm-4:00pm at Mint Hill Dance Center at 8400 Fairview Road Suite AB Mint Hill, NC 28227. Family will receive guests from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Family will speak at 1:30pm and welcome guests to share stories of Gena until 3:00pm. Family will finish receiving guests until 4:00pm. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided. Please wear casual clothing, preferably no black.