Obituary for Lennie Gaines
Lennie Lois Gaines was born on January 25, 1935. She was the fourth of six children born to Jack Wiley and Kite Tyson Wiley in Marshall, Texas. This was the beginning of Lennie’s years of a life filled with energy, faith, and joy.
Lennie was best known by the family and childhood friends as “Tump”. Lennie received her early education at New Town Elementary School where she was an outstanding student and a fast learner. She graduated from Pemberton High School and Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. While attending Wiley, Lennie was in the marching band something she enjoyed immensely and always enjoyed talking about.
After graduating from Wiley College in 1956, Lennie moved to San Francisco, California. She attended and received an advanced degree from San Francisco State College. She remained in California until her death.
In San Francisco, Lennie found employment with the federal government as Tax Examiner. Lennie was a tax consultant and prepared taxes for many people. She did all the taxes for her family. She would also go to Marshall and do taxes for the Rambo Funeral Home.
Lennie married Dwitt Gaines and to that union one child was born, Stephanie Gaines. Stephanie was the love of Lennie’s life.
Lennie belonged to the Wile College Alumni Association where she participated in the McKinnon Avenue Residential 1500 Block Club established in 1973. Lennie served as its treasurer, coordinator, and historian from 1973 until 1998. In her role, Lennie identified issues that not only enhanced the McKinnon Avenue 1500 Block Club but gained support of the community as well.
She loved being involved with her neighbors and fellow board members. One of Lennie’s biggest honors was being asked to become a committee member of the “Crispus Attucks Center” where she was instrumental in getting the charitable contribution statue reinstated and obtaining over $100,00 to renovate the building from the City’s Community Development Fund.
Lennie loved the bay; she could sit at the piers and watch the boats and ships forever.
Lennie leaves to mourn her: sister, Ruth Cooper of Tobacco, Maryland; nieces, Lolita Walker of Lodi, California and Sonja Fisher of Antioch, California; nephews, Reginal Washington of Antioch, California, Steven Smith of Stockton, California, and Emmett Williams of Port Tobacco, Maryland.
Lennie was best known by the family and childhood friends as “Tump”. Lennie received her early education at New Town Elementary School where she was an outstanding student and a fast learner. She graduated from Pemberton High School and Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. While attending Wiley, Lennie was in the marching band something she enjoyed immensely and always enjoyed talking about.
After graduating from Wiley College in 1956, Lennie moved to San Francisco, California. She attended and received an advanced degree from San Francisco State College. She remained in California until her death.
In San Francisco, Lennie found employment with the federal government as Tax Examiner. Lennie was a tax consultant and prepared taxes for many people. She did all the taxes for her family. She would also go to Marshall and do taxes for the Rambo Funeral Home.
Lennie married Dwitt Gaines and to that union one child was born, Stephanie Gaines. Stephanie was the love of Lennie’s life.
Lennie belonged to the Wile College Alumni Association where she participated in the McKinnon Avenue Residential 1500 Block Club established in 1973. Lennie served as its treasurer, coordinator, and historian from 1973 until 1998. In her role, Lennie identified issues that not only enhanced the McKinnon Avenue 1500 Block Club but gained support of the community as well.
She loved being involved with her neighbors and fellow board members. One of Lennie’s biggest honors was being asked to become a committee member of the “Crispus Attucks Center” where she was instrumental in getting the charitable contribution statue reinstated and obtaining over $100,00 to renovate the building from the City’s Community Development Fund.
Lennie loved the bay; she could sit at the piers and watch the boats and ships forever.
Lennie leaves to mourn her: sister, Ruth Cooper of Tobacco, Maryland; nieces, Lolita Walker of Lodi, California and Sonja Fisher of Antioch, California; nephews, Reginal Washington of Antioch, California, Steven Smith of Stockton, California, and Emmett Williams of Port Tobacco, Maryland.