In the fall of 1922, Willie "Kit" Howell and Georgia Anna Motley were blessed with a beautiful, baby girl on September 11th. The youngest of fifteen children in the family, she was named Josephine.

Being raised in a Christian home, Josephine became a woman who exemplified all of the characteristics of a Proverbs 31 woman; beautiful in God's eyes.

Her prominent characteristics were her strength and wisdom, which she used to create a loving home, nurture her marriage, raise her children and serve the community.

Josephine graduated high school from Mark Hanna in Tullahassee, Oklahoma with the Class of 1940. A few years later, she was united in Holy Matrimony to Fletcher Gaines, Jr., on February 8, 1945 and remained married for 67 years until his death in 2012. Their loving union was blessed with ten children, all of whose lives she shaped spiritually by her tireless Christian example.

Josephine was a compassionate and dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. Her heart and home was always open, caring for many other children and relatives in need. Josephine was a mentor and an encourager, who believed in the power of prayer. She often stated "If you prayed about it, don't worry about it."

In her leisure, she enjoyed sewing and quilting, pressing and curling hair, cooking, gardening and reading. Josephine served her community by working on the Town Council of Tullahassee, Oklahoma as treasurer for 15 years and worked in the local elections. She volunteered and worked in the Tullahassee Public School System as a grandparent and also as a cook, respectively.

Although every task she took on, she served with honor to the Lord; she was most zealous about working in HIS house. Josephine devoted her life to the Lord at an early age and became a member of Mount Bethel Baptist Church, where she served as Mission President, Sunday School Teacher, and also a member of the Choir. She was often called upon as Mistress of Ceremony, to give the Church history and to offer prayer. She remained a faithful servant in the Church for many years until her health no longer allowed her to attend regularly. However, in her home, she continued to pray earnestly, sing Psalms to the Lord and believed that Jesus was her help. She remained faithful at every age and stage of life.

On Saturday morning, February 27, 2016, Josephine Gaines "Heard a voice from Heaven" and went to be with the Lord. She was preceded in Glory by her husband, her parents and her siblings.

Mother Gaines leaves to cherish her memories and to hold up the blood stained banner; her children, Betty Davis, Muskogee; Freddy [Elrina] Gaines, Tulsa, Marvin Gaines, Tullahassee, Virginia [Claudius] Milton, Muskogee, Gloria [Clifford] Marshall, Porter, Linda [Carl] Jones, Wagoner, Alvin Gaines, Tullahassee, Lydia Gaines, Dallas, Texas, Jennifer [Robert]Mable, Washington, Texas, Sharon [Anthony] Peterson, Dallas, Texas, and a grandson she raised as her own, Anthony [Nichelle] Gaines, Muskogee, Oklahoma; 44 grandchildren; 103 great-grandchildren; 22 great-great-grandchildren [four generations]; and a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Josephine would say to us "be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord."

The Worship Service Celebrating her life will commence on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. in the most Holy sanctuary of the Mount Bethel Baptist Church, Porter, Oklahoma. The Pastor, Reverend Henry McVay, Jr., will officiate and her grandsons, Pastor Jaso Gaines and Minister Anthony Gaines will deliver the Eulogy.

The Christian Committal will follow in the Booker T. Washington Cemetery in Muskogee.

You may visit Mother Gaines, as she slumbers in sweet repose at the funeral home in Muskogee on Friday from 10:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M.