Obituary

Joyce Ann Childress Gaines
April 16, 1939 - March 26, 2020



Joyce Ann Childress Gaines, age 80 and a resident of Amite, LA died Thursday evening March 26, 2020. She was a native of Bristow, Oklahoma where she was born on April 16, 1939. Joyce raised her family for more than 30 years in Watsonville, California before moving to her husband’s home state of Louisiana in 1996, settling on property near the Tangipahoa Parish/Washington Parish line. Having had Rheumatic fever and a weak heart as a child, doctors believed she would never have children or live past the age of 21, but through sheer will and determination she beat back those odds. Joyce was blessed to be the mother of 6 children and lived very near to 81 years of age.

She is survived by 5 of those children: Sherrle A. Gaines, Larry D. Gaines, Michael L. Gaines, Katherine Gaines all of Louisiana, John, Jr. and wife Karen Gaines of Texas; 9 Grandchildren; 10 Great-grandchildren; 2 Great-great-grandchildren; Also numerous nieces and nephews in both Louisiana and California.

She was preceded in death by her son Kenneth Lee Gaines, her husband of 43 years John B. Gaines, Sr., father Clyde Vernon Childress, mother and step-father Ina Harris and John Taylor, and beloved sister Bobby Abbot.

Joyce will be entombed with her mother in Watsonville, CA following a private ceremony at a later date.