Cecelia Ernestine (Staley) Gaines

Services for Cecelia Earnestine (Staley) Gaines, 83, of Diboll, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 24, 2014 in the Elwyn M. Gipson Memorial Chapel in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park, with Bro. Bob Harbuck officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mrs. Gaines was born February 18, 1931 in Mexia, Texas, the daughter of the late John and Sarah (Betteron) Staley. She passed away Monday, July 21, 2014 at her residence.

Mrs. Gaines had resided in Diboll since 1987. Earnestine started out life in the Depression years. She also experienced life at Buckner’s Home as an orphan until rescued and raised by her mother. She graduated from Texas City High School. After years of hard work, she became the manager of the Deli of Winegarten’s in the Houston area. Earnestine met and married her beloved husband and moved to Slidell, Louisiana. They worked and lived their life to the fullest. They eventually settled back in the Pineywoods of East Texas.

Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Jerry B. Gaines of Diboll; daughters, Sutzie Gaines Whitman and husband Doug and Jerri G. Smitko, all of Louisiana; grandsons, Scott Paul Landry, Jr. and Maxwell Peter Smitko; great-granddaughter, Sian Landry; brother, Bill Staley and wife Martha of Ellinger, Texas; and her beloved pet, Puppy. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Gaines was preceded in death by her sisters, Bernice, Virginia, Polly, and Daisy; and brother, Damien.

Pallbearers will be Alexander Cameron, Jerry Fischer, Thomas E. Johnson, Don Morris, Scott Paul Landry, and Max Smitko.

Honorary pallbearer will be Floyd H. Hall.

Memorial contributions in Mrs. Gaines’ memory may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice, 210 Christie, Lufkin, TX 75904; or to a charity of your choice.

Mrs. Gaines’ family would like to send a special thank you to the staff of Heart to Heart Hospice and caregivers, Adella, Bonita, Crystal, Heather, and Sharon.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at Gipson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home