Edna J. Gaines

She was born July 29, 1927 in Obion, TN to Henry and Verneda (Williams) Jones, Sr. She married Edward B. Gaines, Jr, Jan 3, 1954 in Peoria. He passed away Oct. 20, 1998 in Peoria. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and one brother, Henry Jones, Jr.

Survivors include one sister, Vernie (Lorenzo) Cleary, Jr, two nephews: Andre’ D. (Patricia) Jones, Barry (Pam) Jones-Barber of Tennessee, three nieces: Linda Jones, Brenda Hood, Krystle Cleary, four great-nephews: Christopher, Christian, Ki’Andre Jones, Ty’Ayre Cleary-McDonald, one great-niece, Asia Jones, and a host of other relatives in and out of Peoria.

Edna was a member of the Zion Baptist Church, the Silver Star Chapter # 74, and the United States Bowling Congress. She was the first black female bowler to enter the Peoria Bowling Hall of fame. Twenty three years after Jackie Robinson broke the color line in major league baseball, Edna and her Security Savings team became the first all-black team to compete in major Peoria women’s scratch bowling league.

Funeral services will be Friday May 4, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services on Friday.

Entombment will be in American Mausoleum at a later date.

Please view Edna’s obituary online at www.Davison-Fulton.com