Obituaries

Lavern Gaines

Photo of Lavern Gaines
Lavern Gaines, 95, formerly of Hope, went peacefully to sleep in the arms of her Savior on December 17, 2014. Born Estelle Lavern Purtle on September 17, 1919, to the late Nelson Carr Purtle and Barner (Butler) Purtle of Stamps, Arkansas; she was the only daughter and had three brothers, all of whom preceded her in death: Doyle, Ted, and L.J. Lavern married the late James C. Gaines of Hope in 1940, only a short time before he left to serve in World War II. She bravely delivered their oldest daughter while he was held as a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany. They welcomed three more children in their family and made hundreds of cherished memories raising their family in Hope and in the areas surrounding Hope. Lavern had a strong spirit and was confidently self-sufficient. There was nothing she could not do. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress. Her presence at every family gathering will be felt by the many recipes for which she was known. Her love will continue to be passed down to generations by the warmth of the beautiful blankets and quilts she gifted. She was known as "Mama Twos" to her grandchildren and their friends because she was a second mother to them all. She always welcomed her teenage children, and later, her grandchildren, and all their friends at lunchtime from Hope High School. She encouraged adventure and creativity through play and art projects at her home and in a ceramics studio she had in a barn behind her home for a number of years. She was a master story teller and could be heard making up tall tales with her grandchildren who all would pile into her bed at night. Lavern was a beautiful matriarch of her family; her children: the late Sandra (Guy) Watkins, Jan (George) Wright, and Betty (Butch) Hightower all of Hot Springs and Mike (Mary) Gaines of Hope; her 12 grandchildren: Jay (Jessica) Arnold, JaNan Davis, and Jill Fletcher; Misty (Skip) McAlister and Trey (Mendy) Wright; Chad Griffin, Angie (Ronnie) Ralph, and Raymond Hightower; and Shelly (Craig) Gilbert, Keri (Jason) Hamm, Amie (Levi) Applegarth and Tara (Toby) Craig; and 19 great-grandchildren: Alli, Elizabeth, Emme, Ella Fu, Tyce, Thomas, Annelise, Lila Kate, Mary Claire, Walker, Griffin, Gavin, Corbin, Tate, Jaxson, Allie, Leam, Lucy, and Tobi Lee. The family wishes to thank the staff at Hope Haven in Hope, Arkansas, and Quapaw Nursing Home in Hot Springs, Arkansas for the love and care shown Lavern. She considered them part of her extended family. Memorials should be made to the Hempstead County Humane Society or to the Unity Missionary Baptist Church in Hope, Arkansas, where Lavern was a lifelong member. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2014, at 10 a.m. at Memory Gardens in Hope, Arkansas under the direction of Herndon-Pharr Funeral Home, Hope, Arkansas; Lavern's nephew, Dr. Perry Purtle will officiate.

Published December 19, 2014

Upcoming Events