Mrs. Jayne B. Gaines

Mrs. Jayne B. Gaines passed away peacefully on January 11, 2024, surrounded by music and family, in Kansas City, MO… Jayne was born to loving parents, Elgin and Missouri Simmons, in Porter, OK. As a young woman, Jayne married Elijah W. Gaines Sr. The couple later moved to Kansas City, MO and established a wonderful family that would include four children Ernest, Hortense, Elijah Jr. and Teresa. In Kansas City, Jayne joined Morning Star Baptist Church. She was active in the church, including belonging to the Primrose Club, which hosted social events. She later joined Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Wallace S. Hartsfield Sr. Jayne served on the Usher Board for many years and was a faithful, supportive member of the church throughout the rest of her life. Jayne and Elijah enjoyed traveling across the United States. After losing her loving husband, Elijah, in 1996, Jayne traveled to Europe, Bermuda and visited Hawaii more than 10 times. Jayne was an accomplished cook. She was well known for her sweet potato and apple pies, and peach cobblers. She loved to shop and was the consummate fashion plate, with a keen eye for clothing design. She treasured her impressive collection of hats. A continuing theme of Jayne’s life was her passion for service. Most recently, she worked as a cafeteria monitor at Attucks Elementary School. She enjoyed the daily company of students and colleagues, alike. She was an active participant in the Silver Sneakers program at the Cleaver Family YMCA. In classes with instructor Carolyn King, Jayne became an integral part of the fellowship she found there. It was at the YMCA that she met her close and caring friend, Wanda Lipscomb. Jayne also enjoyed listening to live music, visiting with friends, and playing cards. And, she adored her Miniature Schnauzer, Sparkle. Jayne loved sports and was a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas Jayhawks. Often after a team would win, she’d pose this question: “Who Can Take Us!?”. But, after losses, she’d lament: “Anybody Can Take Us.” Jayne is preceded in death by her mother, and brother, who died before she was 10 years old, by her father, and by a special cousin, Mary Dahl Woodard. Left to cherish her memories are her children: Ernest Gaines (Diana), Phoenix, AZ ,Hortense Holt Burr (James), Overland Park, KS, Elijah W. Gaines Jr. (Naomi), Los Angeles, CA and Teresa Jayne Gaines, Vienna, VA; grandchildren, Jeffery Gaines ,Charlotte, NC, Kelley Mason ,Phoenix, AZ, Michael Gaines and Mark Gaines, Phoenix, AZ, Derrick M. Holt , Dublin, CA, Kathleen D. Whyte ,Yardley, PA, Robin E. Wolf ,Kansas City, MO, David M. Holt, Florissant, MO and Phillip J. Gaines, Los Angeles, CA; great-grandchildren, Jazmyne Gaines, Aaron Gaines, Mark Mason, Chris Mason, Jocelyn Gaines, Alexandria K. Whyte, Lauren K. Whyte, Jordan I. Wolf, Denise M. Holt and Daniel M. Holt, a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services Saturday, January 20, at 12:00pm at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation 11:00am-12:00pm at the church. Services conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Mrs. Jayne B. Gaines

August 8, 1922 - January 11, 2024