Anna Gaines

Anna Lou Gaines, 87, was born in Clarence, Missouri; lived and raised her family in St. Louis, Missouri and resided in Fairway, Kansas. She is preceded in death by her parents Roy and Lorene Sanner Wood, her husband Onyx Ray Gaines, a sister Tresia Magruder, and brothers Billy Bob Wood, Sammy Joe Wood, James Roy Wood, and Bob Collins Jr. She is survived by brothers Jack Wood, Jerry Wood and a sister Linda Boleach and sister-in-laws Nadean Wood, Sabra Wood and Theresa Collins Cross and her children David Gaines, Beth Braden and her husband Mark, Phillip Gaines and his wife Laura, and Paul Gaines, granddaughters Rebecca Tong and husband Justin, Katie Luka and husband Sam, Sarah and Paige Braden and great grandchildren Scarlett and Eli Tong, and many loving nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Anna Lou was a wife, mother and homemaker first and a Southwestern Bell employee for over 33 years. She was married to Onyx Ray on May 7, 1955 and they shared 54 years of marriage. Ann or “Lou” was proud to have attended a “one room school house” and graduated from Clarence High School where she was an excellent basketball player. She moved to St. Louis to become a beautician and attended cosmetology school.  She briefly worked as a beautician but found a career as a Directory Assistance Telephone Operator and retired from the SWB Traffic department as a technician.

Ann was a member of the Communications Workers of America and strongly believed in unions. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ including the Spring and Blaine, Affton and Kirkwood congregations. She was known for living her Christian values in words and deeds. Her passions included cooking for family gatherings, embroidering, quilting and gardening.  Her most enjoyment came from visits to her farm house where she could host her extended family, grandchildren and friends.

Ann will be remembered as a strong, loving, compassionate and tender hearted woman.

Services:

There will be a visitation on Monday, June 29 from 5 to 7 PM, and a private family service on Tuesday, June 30 at 10 AM at Greening’s funeral home in Clarence with the burial immediately following at Union Grove cemetery.

With love and safety in mind, we are requiring all who attend wear a mask. Our family members are coming from large metropolitan areas where COVID-19 is a very real concern. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Donations may be made to:

The Farmer’s House – A non-profit for adults with developmental disabilities.   www.thefarmershouse.org/about

Union Cemetery, Assn. – c/o Charlotte Collins, 849 Highway 151, Clarence, MO  63437