Gena Danette Simpson, 55, Harrisonville, Missouri, died Saturday, September 10, 2016 at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 14 at Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville. A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville.

Gena was born January 26, 1961 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Jerry James and Janice (Smith) Mead. She worked as an over-the-road truck driver for over 30 years. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and her beloved dogs.

Gena was preceded in death by her mother, Janice Downey, her life partner, Robert "Curly" Gutche, and her lifelong friend, Julie Lewis. She is survived by her father, Jerry Mead, Quapaw, Oklahoma; step-father, Kenneth "Joe" Downey, Harrisonville; son, Jeffrey Walton, Harrisonville; two daughters, Danette Brown, Garden City, Missouri and April Snook, Harrisonville; step-daughter, Tina Frieze (Terry), Gainesville, Missouri; two brothers, Jerry "Butch" Mead (Cathy) and Corey Mead, all of Adrian, Missouri; 8 grandchildren, Bobby (Stefani), Brennen, Brianna, Weston, Austin, Kole, Tucker, and Harper; 1 great-grandson, Camden; best friends, Gaynell (Michael) Williams, Schell City, Missouri and Robert Wright, Harrisonville; her beloved dogs, Baby Girl and Katie, and many other friends and family.

"Everyone dies; some just leave earlier than others."