KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Gena Lincoln passed away peacefully in her home in Kelseyville on Christmas Eve, while being comforted by her husband of 65 years, John Lincoln.

She was born Gena Mae Brotherton on June 19, 1929, in Booneville, Arkansas, to Olen and Lillian Brotherton.

Early in her childhood the family, seeking opportunity and a better life, migrated to Southern California where Gena and her siblings, brothers Jerry and Dale, and sister Naomi, were raised in the coastal communities of Ventura and Santa Paula.

Gena loved school, had a beautiful singing voice and performed in school and church productions.

During the war years Gena followed intently the progress of her two brothers, both of whom served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater.

Following the war she attended community college in Pasadena, Calif., and worked at Helen Smith’s Ladies Wear.

One evening in November of 1949, while returning to her apartment with a girlfriend, they passed a boarding house where a young man sitting on the front porch whistled at them as they passed.

A few days later that young man, John Lincoln, recently discharged from the Army Air Corps, and Gena happened into each other at a social event. He approached and asked her if she would dance with him. She did, and10 days later they drove to Las Vegas and were married.

The young couple settled in Southern California, where they raised three rambunctious boys, Tom, Braden and Todd.

John attended night school and eventually settled into a career in the freight transportation business. Gena stayed at home with the boys, serving in parent teacher organizations and scouting troops, transporting the boys and friends to Little League games and beach day trips, settling disputes and otherwise filling the traditional role of mom and wife.

Gena eventually joined John in the freight business, serving as his administrative secretary for over 20 years.

They were an inseparable couple in all respects. John grew his association transportation business into one of the largest and most successful freight shippers in the country. He and Gena traveled widely and were sought after by and on a first name basis with the leadership of all the major railroads and trucking firms in the nation.

They retired from the company on the same day, moved to Coarsegold, Calif., to build their dream retirement home and eventually moved to Lake County in 1999.

Gena was a member of the Red Hat Society and the Republican Women of Lake County Federated and was a frequent volunteer at the Lakeport Senior Center.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Lillian; father, Olen; sisters, Omelea and Althea, who died in childhood; and brothers, Jerry and Dale.

She is survived by her husband John of Kelseyville; sister, Naomi Willis of Yorba Linda, Calif.; sons, Tom of Lakeport, Braden of Kelseyville and Todd of Santa Rosa; as well as 12 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. 

A celebration of life will be held at the Buckingham Homes Association Clubhouse, 2850 Eastlake Drive, Kelseyville, on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 1 p.m.

Note: If traveling from the north county, you will need to take Highway 29 to Kit’s Corner and proceed on Soda Bay Road to Buckingham. Soda Bay Road between Buckingham and Kelseyville will be closed for repairs.

Donations can be made in Gena’s name to the Lakeport Senior Center.