Mrs. Walter Mae Gaines, after 49 seasons, "Ascended to Everlasting Life" on Sunday morning, March 27, 2011.

She was born on November 30, 1961 in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Walter Hinson, Sr., and Geneva Cowans. She was the fifth of twelve children in the family.


Walter Mae, better known to family and friends as "Mae," graduated from Carter G. Woodson High School in Tullahassee, Oklahoma in May of 1979 and delivered her first born son, Darnell Hinson on May 28, 1980. In spite of the endurance necessary to raise a child, she still attended college at Northeastern State University, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting/Business. Mae was the first and only one of her twelve siblings to obtain a bachelor's degree.


Mae was blessed to raise two more children, twins Monique LaShawn Gaines and Dominique DeShawn Gaines. She began her career in accounting clerk at Muskogee Phoenix Newspaper, where she remained a faithful employee for over twenty years. She also was an active and loyal member of Mount Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, where she served the Lord as a member of the Church Choir.


Mae enjoyed attending her children's sporting events; both of her sons basketball games as well as her daughters participation on the rowing team. She also enjoyed spending time with all of her grandchildren, playing cards with her family members and working out at the gym.


Mae was preceded in death by her mother and father, Geneva Cowans-McConnell and Walter Hinson, Sr., her grandparents, a granddaughter, Qualeigh Gaines, and a niece, Berthina "Pumpkin" Hinson


Walter Mae's legacy lives on in the lives of her children; Monique Gaines, who successfully obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, and currently continues to pursue a Master's Degree at Oklahoma State University; Dominique Gaines, her youngest son, who successfully completed his education at Northeastern State University and currently plays professional basketball in Puerto Rico; and her oldest son, Darnell Hinson, who successfully completed his education at Northeastern State University with a Bachelor's of Science Degree and currently plays professional basketball for Poland.


Mae also leaves to cherish her memories with her loving grandchildren; Darnell Hinson, Jr., De'Drien Gaines, Kyleigh Rowland, Darien Gaines, Ayden Tanner, Kiowyn Deaton-Gaines; her siblings, Kenneth Cowns, Leslie Hinson, Rita Hinson, Treassa Hinson, Brenda Hinson-Knox, Joyce Hinson-Marshall, Katherine Hinson-Wilson, Lisa Hinson, Reginald Hinson, Roberta McConnell, Shirley McConnell-Henton, Freddie Mills, , Walter Hinson, Jr., and Bessie Mae Walhs; a caravan of twenty-five nieces and nephews, eighteen great-nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives, friends and co-workers.

The farewell will be held on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. in the Boulevard Christian Church. Pastor James McCracken, the gracious host, Apostle Lathan Archie, Officiating.

Burial will follow in the Marshall Cemetery at Haynes, Oklahoma.

You may visit Mae, as she slumbers in sweet repose at the funeral home on Sunday from 3 PM to 5 PM only.