Gwyn Dona Crain Oakes

Rev. Gwyn Dona Crain Oakes was born May 21, 1934 on Russell Mountain, near Bald Knob, Arkansas to Vernon and Mabel (McGuire) Crain. At age 19, she moved to Michigan to work in a factory. She became an active part of her local church. She and a young man in the church, L.G. Oakes, were married on April 19, 1956 in Benton Heights, Michigan. While in Michigan their four children were born. She began her art career as an Oil Colorist. In 1968, after L.G. received his call into the ministry, the family moved to Arkansas to pastor the Church of Jesus Christ in Higgenson, Arkansas. While attending there, Gwyn received her call into the ministry. In 1970, the family moved to Bald Knob to establish the Church of Jesus Christ on Russell Mountain Road, which later became the United Pentecostal Church of Bald Knob, Arkansas. While pastoring in Bald Knob, Gwyn and L.G. pursued many interests. They both became Juvenile Probation Officers for White County, they established Sizzlin' Catfish restaurant in Searcy, later moving it to Bald Knob. She worked various sales positions traveling across Arkansas and the United States. Gwyn and L.G. worked together in various departments of the Arkansas District of the United Pentecostal Church, Int'l. Gwyn served for 20 years as Ladies Auxiliary President for Arkansas. She was elected in 1994 to serve as International Ladies Auxiliary President for the United Pentecostal Church and served for 22 years. While she was in that position, the department name and focus were changed to Ladies Ministries of the UPCI. Gwyn passed away peacefully on January 27, 2018. She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Avo, O.V., Cleo, Aulton, and Austin; two step-mothers, Ruby Phillips Crain and Margie Frame Crain; her husband, L.G. and son, David. She is survived by her children: Charlotte (Charles) Haley of McRae, Leah (Steven) Seagraves of SeaTac, Washington, and Matthew (Rachel Riggs) Oakes of Ward; her siblings: Thelma Martin [Bald Knob], Jerry [Bradford], Glen, Donna, and Edith [California]. She has five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends who loved her dearly. Services will be held at Revival Church, 1000 N. Maple, Searcy, Friday, February 2. Viewing is 4-6 p.m. Celebration of Life begins at 6 p.m. Her burial will be at 1pm on Saturday at Carter Cemetery in Russell. Arrangements by Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net.