Cover photo for Neva Dorothy Gaines's Obituary
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1928 Neva 2011

Neva Dorothy Gaines

November 19, 1928 — October 4, 2011

Neva Dorothy Craig Gaines, 82, of Odessa, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, at the Odessa Medical Center Hospital.

She was born November 19, 1928, to Edward Franklin Craig and Geneva Bass Craig in El Paso, Texas. Dorothy was raised in Crane, Texas, and graduated from Crane High School, where she enjoyed playing volleyball and tennis. She was also a cheerleader and a member of the choir.

She married the late Oscar Derwood Gaines on August 27, 1947, in Crane, Texas, at the home of her parents. They met at the Sweet Shop, where she worked after school and sold ice cream, sodas, and hamburgers. They are the parents of three children, 10 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren.

Dorothy worked at the Crane school cafeteria as a cashier for many years—she always enjoyed being around people and making others laugh. She was a hard worker—both at home and her place of work. She loved her family dearly and would have done anything for them. Teaching her children right from wrong was a high priority for her. The number of her children's activities that she attended cannot be counted—she was always there for them.

Dorothy and Derwood also spent many years square dancing and still have many friends and acquaintances from doing so. This was something that they truly loved doing together, and they missed it tremendously when they weren't able to dance anymore. Dorothy will be greatly missed by her family and friends, but the things that she taught them over the years will remain a part of her family forever.

She is survived by one son and two daughters, Gary Gaines (Sharon) of Odessa; Dana Howland (Gene) of Spanish Fork, Utah; and Tamra Reidhead (Jim) of Show Low, Arizona; 10 grandchildren--Bradley Gaines, Nicole Gaines Strader, Jared, Chad, Jenalee and Kailee Howland, Ryan and Rustin Reidhead, Taralee Reidhead Porter, and Danica Reidhead Claridge; and 16 great-grandchildren, Ainsley Gaines; Avery, Bailey, Parker and Jude Strader; Christiaan and Laura Howland; Harper and Teagan Reidhead; Adelaide, Joseph and German Howland; Brody and Dorothy Porter; Cole and Brett Claridge.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one sister, and one brother.

The family would like to thank Buena Vida Nursing Home and Emeritus at Sherwood Place, along with family and friends for their love and support.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at the Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home in Crane. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Crane County Cemetery.
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