Barbara Jean Gaines

On June 28, 2014, Barbara Jean Gaines (73) slipped away peacefully surrounded by her devoted husband Phillip, Sr., daughter Phillistine and her sons Craig and Phillip, Jr.. Barbara Jean was born on July 6, 1940 in Immokalee, Florida to the late Aljuero Owens and Lilliebelle Adams-Owens. Barbara held employment as a migrant worker, where her travels began in Immokalee, Florida and eventually led her to Maryland, where she later held employment at Caroline Poultry Plant and Marvel Packing. While in Maryland, she met and married Phillip Gaines, and through this union five children and one step-daughter were born. Barbara was in the Ladies’ Auxiliary, and loved cooking and baking. She was affectionately known as “Mom Barbara”, “Aunt Barbara” or “Mom Auntie” to family and friends. She was someone you could always count on because anytime you needed something, someone would say “call Barbara Jean” and she would find a way. Barbara had a love for children. You could find her babysitting any day of the week; you could say she had her own daycare. Until her health began to fail, Barbara also enjoyed running errands for the elderly throughout the year, especially during the summer, and she called it “Senior Citizens Day.” Even in her failing health, she would never forget them. From time to time, she would have a little something for them at her home and all were welcome. Barbara Jean leaves to cherish her memories: a loving husband, Phillip “Sonny” H. Gaines, Sr.; five children—Clarence Gibson of Immokalee, Florida, Craig “Donnie” D. Gaines of Maryland, Phillistine “Sissy” V. Gaines (Stanley Johnson, Sr.) of Mardela Springs, Maryland, Phillip “Peebles” H. Gaines, Jr. Bronx, New York and Celestine “Tina” Gaines Smart (Wade); one step daughter, Velma Morris Chester of Philadelphia, PA; five siblings—Eartha, Viola, Marcedes, Clifford and Margaree; seven grandchildren—Donnelle Gaines (“Neka”), Philjuan Gaines (“Juan”), Stanley R. Johnson Jr. (“R.J.”), Tayvon Taylor (“Tay”), Brandon Smart, Bryan Morris and Johnathon Morris; four great grandchildren—Cam’Ron Green, Dorian Gaines, Tyjuan Gaines and Ayanna Johnson; a devoted sister-in-law, Betty Jean McCoy, and also Camila Gaines and Mary Savage; a devoted niece, Charlene Hill-Rivera and nephew Kevin Gaines a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by Gene Owens, Audrey Calhoun, and Ruby Lee Brown. Barbara Jean will be missed very much but never forgotten! To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Jean Gaines , please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Barbara Jean Gaines

July 6, 1940 - June 28, 2014