Obituaries

Our Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Great-Great-Grandmother, Jennie B. Gaines, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the age of 89 years.

Our mother began her earthly journey on January 7, 1929 in Pittsview, Alabama. Jennie was the third of nine children born to the late Madison and Leora (Davison) Wright. Having been baptized at an early age, our mother’s faith in God has always been strong. We have all benefited from her relationship with Christ; and we can attest to the fact that she was a praying woman. Her laughter, grace and kindness will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She joined Tabernacle Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor R.B. Austin and has continued to serve faithfully as a mother of the church. Mother also enjoyed attending Bible Study and fellowshipping with the Ministers’ Wives and Widows of the Saginaw Valley Baptist District Association.

Mother was an avid sports enthusiast; cheering for the Detroit Lions and her favorite, LeBron James. She also enjoyed going to the circus, watching western movies, and beautifying her yard with pretty flowers. Mother loved sharing special moments with family, especially her grands, and with friends. She had been employed for many years at the Saginaw Country Club and later joined the staff at the Bay City Country Club as the head cook. She retired in 2003, after over 30 years of service.

Before moving to Saginaw in 1953, she joined the late Pastor Robert D. Gaines, Sr., in holy matrimony on November 4, 1945. They were blessed to share 60 years of marriage together until his death on February 27, 2005.

Mother Gaines leaves to celebrate her legacy of life, three children: Lola M. Barry, Bobbie (Eugene) Matthews, Shreveport, Louisiana and Robert (Tonia) Gaines Jr., Romulus, Michigan; nine grandchildren: Nathaniel C. Liggins, Jr., Sheldon Murphy, Nicole (Ray) Philyaw, Brandon (Rozina) Murphy, Preston (Maria) Murphy, Justin Murphy, Robert Gaines, III, LaCorrie Gaines, and Tania Beverly; twenty-three great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a special daughter-in-law, Cora Lee Gaines; two sisters, Ozetta Wright, and Saleemah (Karim) Rasheed; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends including Earnestine Donald and Florida Davis.

Our mother was welcomed home with open arms by her husband, Pastor Robert D. Gaines, Sr.; parents; sisters, Cora Lee Wright and Lily Johnson; brothers, Robert, John, David and Henry Wright.

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